The Los Angeles Dodgers are playoff-bound, but their bullpen concerns have sparked discussions about using Shohei Ohtani as a closer in October. It’s not exactly where they wanted to be heading into the postseason.
Just when it seems like they’re building consistency, they take a step back. The bullpen remains a question mark, and according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, that’s got the front office considering some unconventional options.
“The Dodgers are toying with the idea of using Shohei Ohtani in relief during the postseason, but if they do, he would vacate his spot in the lineup when his turn came up to hit. If he’s a starter, he’s permitted to stay in the game as a DH after he’s done pitching.”
That’s where Tanner Scott comes in. The Dodgers signed the lefty reliever to a four-year, $72 million deal this offseason, banking on him to be their late-inning anchor. MLB.com’s Brian Murphy called it “another move to massively upgrade their pitching staff” when the signing became official.
But Scott’s struggling right now, and he knows it.
“I don’t know if I’m tipping or what but they’re on everything. It sucks. … It was a fastball above the zone. Maybe I’m tipping. I have no friggin’ clue right now. It’s terrible. I’m having the worst year of my life. I gotta be better.”
That’s Scott being brutally honest with the media after another rough outing. When a pitcher suspects he’s tipping his pitches, it’s basically baseball’s version of playing poker with your cards face-up. Hitters know what’s coming, and that’s exactly what Scott feels like is happening right now.
The timing couldn’t be worse. In a close playoff game, tipping pitches doesn’t just cost you an at-bat – it can cost you a series. Scott needs to get into the video room and figure out what he’s doing differently, whether it’s his glove position, his delivery, or something else entirely.
For a guy making $18 million per year, the Dodgers need him to be their shutdown lefty. So far this season, he’s been anything but that. With October around the corner, Scott’s got limited time to fix whatever’s giving him away.
The way I see it, this is why the Ohtani relief conversation even exists. When your high-priced closer is struggling and potentially telegraphing his pitches, you start looking at every option available. Even if it means using your two-way superstar in a completely different role.
