Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott out of NLDS after medical procedure

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott was removed from the team’s National League Division Series following what manager Dave Roberts termed a lower-body abscess procedure.

Scott was replaced on the roster by left-hander Justin Wrobleski. The earliest Scott would be eligible to return is the World Series, should the Dodgers advance that far.

Roberts called the issue an “urgent matter,” noting that Scott first showed signs during Tuesday’s workout day at Dodger Stadium. He was not spotted by the media that day and was not at the ballpark for Wednesday’s 8-2 Game 3 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies while undergoing the procedure.

Scott, signed to a four-year, $72 million deal this past offseason, had struggled so mightily that he was relegated to mop-up duty. He did not so much as warm up during the Dodgers’ first four postseason games.

The Dodgers, despite being aware of Scott’s issue, did not make the move before Wednesday’s Game 3. That seemingly backfired, as the Dodgers (in an attempt to save their higher-leverage relievers in a losing game) opted to give Clayton Kershaw a second inning of work. A five-run inning ensued, turning a 3-1 deficit into a blowout loss.

“I don’t think we knew exactly the extent of it,” Roberts said. “And so to kind of make that preemptive decision, I think we were probably a little bit more in flux.”

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said such a decision still would’ve required “a few hours’” notice.

“We weren’t exactly sure until it was too late,” Gomes said.

Gomes also argued that even if they had made such a move, they had used all of their reserve pitchers (including Wrobleski) in simulated at-bats during Tuesday’s workout.

Given how poorly Kershaw pitched, it still would’ve been a helpful alternative option.

Gomes estimated it would take anywhere between seven days and two weeks for Scott to recover.