Dave Roberts' depressing quote makes Tanner Scott injury even more ominous

The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins Monday night, but there was hardly reason to celebrate as reliever Tanner Scott exited the game with a forearm injury.

Scott took over for Dustin May to get the final out in the eighth inning before coming back out to pitch the ninth. That's where things began to go south, as Scott walked Byron Buxton and hit Brooks Lee with a pitch. While facing Ryan Jeffers with one out, Scott threw an 85.9 mph pitch in the dirt and grimaced as he walked off the mound while flexing his left arm.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including Sonja Chen of MLB.com, that Scott had felt a "sting" in his left forearm. Roberts also said that initial testing results on the injury were encouraging, but that Scott would undergo an MRI on Tuesday to get a more accurate diagnosis. Roberts described Scott as "emotionally, not well."

Scott, who is in the first season of a four-year, $72 million deal that made him the most expensive free agent reliever last offseason, has thrown 45 2/3 innings for the Dodgers this season. He has a 4.14 ERA with 50 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP while saving 19 games in 26 chances as the Dodgers’ primary closer.

Tanner Scott injury could drastically impact Dodgers' trade deadline strategy

While the Dodgers wait for additional testing and MRI results on Scott's arm, a stint on the injured list – which is already 13 names long – is the likely outcome for their prized reliever. The Dodgers already had a prevalent need for bullpen help, and Scott's injury creates an even greater sense of urgency for them to address the position ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.

Of the 13 Dodgers players already on the injured list – not including Scott – four of them are high-leverage relievers. Blake Treinen should be back by the end of the month, while Michael Kopech is on the 60-day IL and ineligible to return until the end of August. Brusdar Graterol could potentially return sometime in September, while Evan Phillips is out for the year due to Tommy John surgery.

The Dodgers were already expected to pursue relief help at the trade deadline, but their need for a legitimate shutdown arm may have just increased exponentially. Scott's MRI results will give them a clearer path forward, but regardless, the pressure is on in Los Angeles.

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