San Diego Padres pitcher Tanner Scott during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers upgraded their pitching staff on Sunday by agreeing to a 4-year, $72 million deal with free agent lefty reliever and Howland native and alum Tanner Scott.

The deal, which includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred salary, was first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Scott has been one of the best relief pitchers in Major League Baseball over the past two seasons.

During the 2024 season, Scott posted a 1.75 ERA and was named to his first career MLB All-Star Game.

He was traded from the Miami Marlins to the San Diego Padres on July 30, and helped the Padres to an appearance in the National League Division Series, where they eventually lost to the Dodgers in five games.

Scott graduated from Howland in 2012. He then went on to play college baseball at Notre Dame College and Howard College. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft.