Tanner Scott is trending across the US after the Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander struck out the side in the ninth inning to lock down his 12th save of the season in Friday's 4-3 comeback win over the San Diego Padres, per CBS Sports. NBC Sports summed it up simply: Scott "blows away Padres in ninth." A year after leading MLB in blown saves, the $72 million reliever is suddenly one of the most dominant closers in baseball. Here's everything to know.
Who Is Tanner Scott?
Tanner Scott is a left-handed relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team's current closer. Born July 22, 1994, in Howland, Ohio, the 31-year-old was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft and has pitched for the Orioles, Marlins, Padres and Dodgers.
He broke out with Miami, making the 2024 National League All-Star team, then posted a 1.75 ERA across 72 games between the Marlins and Padres in 2024 — numbers that made him the most coveted relief arm on that winter's free-agent market. The Dodgers won the bidding, handing him a four-year, $72 million deal in January 2025, per ESPN.
Why Is Tanner Scott Trending Today?
Two reasons: a dominant save against a division rival, and a full-blown redemption arc.
On Friday night (July 3), the Dodgers erased a deficit against the Padres — Teoscar Hernández's grand slam completed the comeback, per DodgerBlue — and Scott slammed the door, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth for save No. 12. The win helped the Dodgers stretch their NL West lead, which The Athletic reports has ballooned to 13 games.
The performance is a stunning reversal from 2025, when Scott's first season in Los Angeles collapsed under the weight of his new contract. He posted a 4.64 ERA and led the league in blown saves — 10 of them, per reports — and admitted to Dodgers Nation that the expectations of the $72 million deal weighed on him. In 2026, he has flipped the script completely, taking over as the Dodgers' primary closer after Edwin Díaz landed on the injured list on April 20.
Tanner Scott Stats & ERA in 2026
- 2026 ERA: 2.02 through 35.2 innings (as of July 3), per CBS Sports
- Saves: 12 (latest: struck out the side vs. Padres on July 3)
- Early-season run as closer: 0.84 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and a 9:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first 10.2 innings after taking the job, per reports
- 2025 (first Dodgers season): 4.64 ERA in 58 games, league-leading 10 blown saves
- 2024 (Marlins/Padres): 1.75 ERA in 72 games, NL All-Star
The contrast is the story: from MLB's blown-saves leader to a sub-2.10 ERA closer on the best team in the National League — in the span of one offseason.
Tanner Scott's Dodgers Contract
Scott signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers in January 2025, per ESPN. According to the Associated Press (via Yahoo Sports), the deal includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred money — the Dodgers' signature contract structure. It made him one of the highest-paid relievers in baseball and runs through the 2028 season.
After year one, the contract looked like a cautionary tale about paying top dollar for relievers. Halfway through year two, it looks like a bargain again.
Was Tanner Scott Traded to the Dodgers?
No — a common mix-up. Scott has been traded before (the Marlins dealt him to the Padres at the 2024 trade deadline), but he joined the Dodgers as a free agent after the 2024 season. With his 2026 form, his name is nowhere near trade rumors now — he's the ninth-inning anchor of a team chasing another World Series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Tanner Scott the Dodgers' closer?
Yes. Scott has served as the Dodgers' primary closer since Edwin Díaz went on the injured list on April 20, 2026, and he has converted 12 saves with a 2.02 ERA as of July 3.
How much is Tanner Scott's contract worth?
Four years, $72 million (2025-2028), signed with the Dodgers in January 2025. It includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred money, per reports.
How old is Tanner Scott and what hand does he throw with?
He is 31 years old (born July 22, 1994, in Howland, Ohio) and throws left-handed.
Who is Tanner Scott's wife?
Scott keeps his personal life largely out of the spotlight, and details about his family are not widely reported by major outlets. His public story right now is strictly about baseball — and his 2026 comeback.
