Dave Roberts' Tanner Scott usage shows this is going to be a long play in 2026

The Dodgers had a very simple solution for their Tanner Scott problem: sign Edwin Díaz.

No one else could've signed the closer in baseball to a $23 million AAV deal to usurp the $18 million AAV one they already had, but the Dodgers are the Dodgers. Díaz's arrival gave LA the first official closer they've had in a long time, and Scott became an afterthought, if not an inconvenience.

They need to find some way to get their money's worth, though. Alex Vesia is still more trustworthy as LA's setup man ahead of Díaz in close games, and the Dodgers might even be more willing to go to Blake Treinen than they are Scott, given Treinen's long track record of success.

Scott has already gotten three appearances through LA's first four games. He closed their 8-2 near-blowout against the Diamondbacks on Opening Day, but then was employed to get just one out in the sixth inning the next day.

In the first game of their series against the Guardians on Monday, they used him as early as the fifth, as a bridge between Roki Sasaki and Justin Wrobleski, who pitched four innings apiece.

Tanner Scott's fifth inning appearance for Dodgers vs. Guardians shows they're still trying to figure out his role

Scott's been almost perfect through those three appearances, giving up just one hit, no runs, and no walks while striking out three. It's a continuation of some good work that he did in spring training, despite giving up a three-run homer against the Angels that fans wildly overreacted to right at the very end.

Despite how early he came in on Monday, it was arguably his highest-leverage appearance yet. The Guardians were holding a slim 1-0 lead over the Dodgers, and Scott was able to maintain the status quo for Wrobleski.

His long-term role depends just as much on Treinen's development throughout the season as it does his own. Treinen was arguably worse than Scott last year, and he had a far worse spring training. It's clear the Dodgers don't trust Treinen right now; they've only used him once so far, in the seventh inning on Opening Day.

If the two continue on their current trajectories — Scott trending up, Treinen trending down — Scott has an opportunity to work his way back up the trust tree and get the ball in the seventh or eighth, which have typically been Treinen's spots in years past.

The Dodgers gave themselves room to be experimental by signing Díaz and taking the pressure off of Scott, and so far it's been working.