Tanner Scott's Redemption Arc: From Criticism to Dominance in 2026 The Los Angeles Dodgers' once-derided closer, Tanner Scott, has transformed from a polarizing figure in 2025 to a dominant lefty reliever in 2026, silencing critics who once questioned his role on the team. After a disastrous 2025 season marked by a 4.74 ERA, 15 blown saves, and a lack of postseason appearances, Scott’s resurgence has redefined his value to the Dodgers. By mid-May 2026, his performance has shifted the narrative entirely, with fans and analysts alike acknowledging his resurgence. Scott’s 2026 season has been nothing short of remarkable. Through May 24, he posted a 1.25 ERA, a 32.5% strikeout rate, and a 3.9% walk rate, showcasing his dominance in the late innings. His fastball averages nearly 97 mph, and he consistently throws first-pitch strikes to 75% of batters. These numbers contrast sharply with his 2025 struggles, where he posted a 4.74 ERA and led the league in blown saves. Advanced metrics further support his turnaround: his xERA of 2.97 and FIP of 2.39 indicate that his success is not merely a product of luck. His 17.9% swinging strike rate ranks seventh among relievers, underscoring his effectiveness against opposing hitters. The Dodgers’ strategic shift in Scott’s role has been pivotal to his revival. After acquiring Edwin Diaz in a three-year, $69 million deal over the winter, the team moved Scott from the closer role to a setup man, a position he thrived in during his time with the San Diego Padres. This adjustment alleviated the pressure of closing games and allowed Scott to leverage his matchup-based strengths. The results were immediate, with Scott delivering consistent performances in high-leverage situations.#los_angeles_dodgers #dave_roberts #andrew_friedman #edwin_diaz #tanner_scott
Shohei Ohtani Responds to Dodgers' Hitting Break with First Homer Since April 26 The Los Angeles Dodgers had planned to give their star player a mental and physical break from the batter’s box, but Shohei Ohtani defied expectations by delivering his first home run since April 26. The decision came after a rough stretch at the plate, with Ohtani struggling to find his rhythm and the Dodgers suffering a four-game losing streak. Manager Dave Roberts announced the plan to rest Ohtani during a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants, aiming to help the two-way superstar regain his form. However, Ohtani’s performance in a critical game Tuesday night proved that the break might not have been necessary. Roberts had already hinted at the possibility of sitting Ohtani during his scheduled pitching start against the Giants, confirming the plan a day after stating his intention to provide the player at least one day off. The manager’s strategy was rooted in the belief that a temporary respite could help Ohtani recalibrate his approach at the plate. “It certainly should be on the table,” Roberts said Monday when asked about the potential day off. Yet, Ohtani’s response to the plan was immediate and decisive. In the leadoff spot against Giants righty Adrian Houser, Ohtani began the game with a single in the first inning. Just moments later, he launched a 398-foot home run into the third inning, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Despite the early momentum, the Giants rallied to win 6-2, handing the Dodgers their fourth consecutive loss. The result underscored the challenges the team faces, as they now sit at 24-18, a half-game behind the first-place San Diego Padres in the NL West. Ohtani’s performance in the game was a stark contrast to his recent struggles.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #san_francisco_giants #dave_roberts #adrian_houser
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Set to Make Key Start for Dodgers in Miami Clash Yoshinobu Yamamoto is poised to take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a crucial matchup against the Miami Marlins, marking his first encounter with the team since May 2024. The Japanese right-hander has emerged as a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ pitching staff this season, delivering five consecutive quality starts that have solidified his status as one of the league’s premier starters. This achievement places him in rare company, as he becomes the first Dodger since Zack Greinke in 2015 to begin a season with at least five straight quality outings. While Greinke’s historic 10-game streak remains a benchmark, Yamamoto’s current run highlights his consistency and adaptability in a competitive rotation. The upcoming series opener at Dodger Stadium presents a fresh opportunity for Yamamoto to extend his streak. The game will serve as a rematch of a May 2024 matchup, where Yamamoto pitched eight innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out five Marlins batters. However, the Marlins’ lineup has undergone significant changes since that game, with none of the hitters from that contest remaining on the team. This clean slate means both teams will approach the matchup without the lingering effects of past encounters, setting the stage for a new chapter in their rivalry. Yamamoto’s recent performances have underscored his ability to bounce back from early struggles. After allowing three runs in the first inning during his start against the San Francisco Giants on April 21, he managed to limit damage for the rest of the game, pitching seven innings of three-run ball.#los_angeles_dodgers #miami_marlins #yoshinobu_yamamoto #dave_roberts #dodger_stadium
Roki Sasaki's Splitter Emerges as Key Weapon in Dodgers' Victory Over Cubs Roki Sasaki made a significant stride in his Major League Baseball (MLB) development during the Dodgers' 12-4 victory over the Cubs on Saturday, showcasing a revamped splitter that became his most frequently used pitch. The 23-year-old Japanese star, who has long been lauded for his potential, faced challenges in his rookie season due to inconsistencies with his fastball, which limited his ability to effectively complement his splitter. This year, however, Sasaki has embraced adjustments to his arsenal, with his splitter proving instrumental in the game. The splitter, a pitch Sasaki has called his "signature offering," was thrown 48 times during the start, the highest usage of any pitch in his MLB career this season. This marked a notable shift from his previous season, when the splitter accounted for only half of his pitches on May 9, 2023. The pitch’s effectiveness was underscored by its improved velocity and spin rate. Sasaki averaged 90.8 mph with the splitter, a 5.8 mph increase from his season average, and his spin rate reached 991 rpm, significantly higher than his typical 574 rpm. These metrics align with his performance during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where his splitter averaged 91 mph and around 1,100 rpm. Manager Dave Roberts highlighted the splitter’s evolution, noting that it now "tunnels more like the fastball," a characteristic that could lead to more swing-and-miss outcomes. Despite allowing four runs, including three solo home runs, Sasaki pitched into the sixth inning for the first time this season, demonstrating improved durability. His ability to command the splitter early in counts also stood out, as he secured a first-pitch strike in nine of 10 instances.#dave_roberts #dodgers #cubs #roki_sasaki #splitter
Dodgers Place Edwin Díaz on Injured List with Right Elbow Issue The Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-handed pitcher Edwin Díaz on the injured list on Monday due to right elbow loose bodies. The decision followed Díaz’s performance in a game against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, where he allowed three runs without recording an out. In a corresponding move, the club recalled left-handed pitcher Jake Eder from the minors. Díaz, 32, has struggled this season, posting a 10.50 ERA in seven games. His season record is 1-0, but his recent performance has raised concerns. Over his career, Díaz has compiled a 29-36 record with a 2.91 ERA in 527 games. He has 257 saves in 300 opportunities and 849 strikeouts. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the decision, stating, “Today was a tough evaluation. I know what it's supposed to look like, and when it doesn't look like that, it gets a little concerning, really. So, I'll have a conversation with him.” Díaz’s four-seam fastball has averaged between 97.2 and 99.1 mph over the past four seasons. However, this season his velocity has dropped significantly, averaging 95.7 mph. During his Sunday game at Coors Field, his fastball reached as low as 92.8 mph. This marks a sharp decline, as he has only thrown six slower fastballs in his career. Jake Eder, 27, was acquired from the Washington Nationals on April 1 in exchange for cash considerations. He spent the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed two runs. Eder previously played for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, making eight appearances with a 4.91 ERA in 18.1 innings. He made his Major League debut on September 17, 2024, with the Chicago White Sox, allowing one run in two innings.#los_angeles_dodgers #dave_roberts #coors_field #edwin_daz #jake_eder
MLB Top-10 First Basemen 2026: Freddie Freeman Ranked No. 1 By The Shredder Freddie Freeman has been named the top first baseman by MLB Network’s The Shredder for the third straight season and the sixth time in his career. The 36-year-old remains a key figure in the 2026 rankings, despite a slightly subdued performance in 2025. He posted a .295 batting average with a .367 on-base percentage and .502 slugging mark, accumulating 39 doubles, 24 home runs, and 90 RBIs across 147 games. His postseason heroics continued with a walk-off home run in the 18th inning of Game 3 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, showcasing his clutch ability. Since the 2022 season, Freeman’s 149 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) leads all first basemen with at least 1,000 plate appearances over that span. However, he has not reached a .300 batting average or .900 on-base plus slugging since 2023. Recent injuries have impacted his production, but he is now fully recovered and received praise from Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during Spring Training. Freeman, entering his fifth season with the Dodgers, has expressed a strong desire to conclude his career with the team. “I would like that, yeah,” Freeman said earlier this year. “I love being here. I’m from Southern California. I’ve had a great time. The fans, you guys treat me great. Everyone’s treating my family good. So that’s out of my control. I’m not worried about another contract, not going to bring it up, not going to talk about it. I got two years left. I’m just an employee. I just do my job, and if they want me back, they want me back. But I think Andrew and everyone know that I love being here. So whatever happens, happens.#los_angeles_dodgers #toronto_blue_jays #freddie_freeman #dave_roberts #the_shredder
Dodgers Secure Spring Training Win Over Padres with Yamamoto's Strong Start The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their strong performance in Spring Training as they defeated the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Camelback Ranch. The game provided a glimpse into the potential 2026 Opening Day roster, with the Dodgers showcasing their depth and strategy ahead of the regular season. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, set to start the 2026 season, made his final spring appearance of the year, delivering a dominant five-inning start. The right-hander struck out seven batters, allowed three hits, and walked one, showcasing his command and effectiveness. Yamamoto tested various pitches during the outing, including his fastball, cutter, slider, curveball, and splitter, and expressed confidence in his preparation. "I was able to try out various things I wanted to test, and I got off to a good start," Yamamoto said through his interpreter. "Overall, I think it went well. Whether it was first-pitch strikes or my out pitch, I was able to get outs with a variety of pitches. Even in situations with runners on base, I was able to stay calm and pitch steadily, so I think that was a strong point." Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Yamamoto's performance, highlighting his readiness for the season. "He came to the mound with a very strong sense of purpose," Roberts said. "The movement on his fastball, command, cutter, slider, curve, splitter—everything was outstanding. He was very efficient and got through five innings without straining. I think it was a great way to cap it off for him." The Dodgers capitalized on Yamamoto's strong start by scoring first in the second inning.#los_angeles_dodgers #yoshinobu_yamamoto #san_diego_padres #teoscar_hernandez #dave_roberts
