Dodgers’ Emmet Sheehan Reveals Timeline to Return in 2025

Emmet Sheehan was primed to contend for a spot in the starting rotation this time last year.

Some forearm soreness after his first bullpen turned into something more and before he was able to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, his year was over.

Sheehan underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-May and didn’t pitch at all for the Dodgers in 2024. He’s hoping to begin a rehab assignment in late May or early June, Sheehan revealed at Fan Fest Saturday.

However, the right-hander is already throwing off a mound.

The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2023, pitching 60.1 innings across 11 starts and two relief appearances for the Dodgers. He posted a 4.92 ERA, striking out 25.8 percent of batters while walking 10.5 percent.

Before making his debut with the Dodgers, Sheehan had an impressive track record in the minors. He had a 2.43 ERA in 2023 and 2.91 the year before. Given his success in the minors and his age, it was reasonable to expect progress at the big-league level in 2024.

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“From what I heard, it just wasn’t responding the way he had hoped and we had hoped,” said manager Dave Roberts at the time of the injury. “I think at that point in time, you just feel that with the information he was getting, the surgery was the right decision.”

Sheehan was optimistic after the surgery which included the internal brace.

“Super frustrating,” Sheehan said days after the procedure. “Obviously being on a team like this, it’s really cool to be around these guys and getting to play with them is a great opportunity that I was looking forward to. But there’s no real point in thinking about that now. Kind of just moving on to the next thing and trying to progress and get better and be healthy for next year.”

Sheehan spoke with several teammates who had undergone Tommy John surgery, including Shohei Ohtani and Tony Gonsolin. With how common the procedure has become in professional baseball, he has no shortage of players to turn to for advice.

“Obviously it’s more of a problem now than it’s been but I don’t think it’s inevitable,” he said. “I just think it’s something that happens sometimes. It’s part of the game. Nothing you can really do about it.”

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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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