Dodgers' $72M veteran reliever expected to miss World Series roster as Roki Sasaki surges

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers' $72M veteran reliever expected to miss World Series roster as Roki Sasaki surges image

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for Game One of the World Series as they look to go back-to-back — something that hasn’t been accomplished in quite some time. The Dodgers could also have a key player returning soon. Tanner Scott was abruptly removed from the Wild Card roster against the Cincinnati Reds.

“As I understand it, it was abscess excision, some type of lower body (procedure),” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know a whole lot about it, to be quite honest with you. But I do know that he’s recovering well. And it took place last night. That’s kind of where we’re at.”

Since then, Scott has returned to the clubhouse and made it clear that he’s ready to go if the Dodgers choose to activate him.

“Tanner Scott says he ‘feels a lot better now.’ He’s thrown a couple bullpen sessions and feels ‘healthy’ enough to be on the World Series roster if the Dodgers want to add him,” Dodgers Blue posted.

Ultimately, it’s up to the Dodgers to decide whether Scott will be available for the World Series. After all, he was one of the top bullpen arms in free agency. However, it seems there’s little reason to rush him back now that Roki Sasaki has secured the closing role.

“Regardless, Scott hasn't shown enough to rush him back to the Fall Classic roster, and the Dodgers might just be better off without him, especially with the emergence of Roki Sasaki to take the ball during high-leverage situations,” SI’s Gabe Smallson wrote. “With his struggles as of late and however long it will take him to ramp up, it appears unlikely fans will see Scott in the World Series.”

The Dodgers are rolling right now, so Scott’s likely absence isn’t a major loss. Sasaki has stepped up in a big way, and nobody seems capable of slowing him down.

As for Scott, he’ll still receive a ring if the Dodgers win the World Series, even if he isn’t on the active roster. The veteran reliever will look to regroup and build momentum heading into next season.

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