The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Emmet Sheehan, the promising right-hander, is headed back to the minor leagues after a brief stint with the team.
Sheehan, after getting moved down when Tarik Skubal arrived, had two outings down in Triple-A before coming back to the Dodgers recently for a long relief role.
However, the team is reversing course and giving him another chance to work down in the minors, likely as a starter.
LA needed bullpen pitching badly a few days ago after their key arms were taxed. Sheehan was supposed to help give some quality innings in bulk.
Now, there are more questions about Sheehan’s future on the 2026 Dodgers, especially given all the depth that they have when everyone is healthy.
Sheehan has looked good in the minors, allowing just two runs in 6.1 innings of work, for a 2.84 ERA.
If he can keep working out his kinks, there is a chance he can come back since the Dodgers adopt a mentality of taking the best 14 pitchers to the postseason, regardless of their supposed roles.
Why is Emmet Sheehan struggling?
Sheehan has struggled to get his mechanics in a good spot, varying wildly in his delivery and, as a result, in his velocity at different points.
His inconsistent mechanics led to a 5.29 ERA over 95.1 innings, allowing 20 home runs and striking out 108.
“I just think this year up to this point, it’s been very mechanics driven. When you’re in competition this season that should quite frankly be the last thing on your mind as a hitter or pitcher,” manager Dave Robert said of Sheehan’s struggles.
“But that’s been forefront for him, so we have to get him back to being an athlete, being in compete mode.”
What are the Dodgers getting with Paul Gervase?
Gervase has a 4.86 ERA through 37 innings in Triple-A. He is a tall pitcher with plus stuff that has shown flashes of being a promising bullpen arm.
The Dodgers have kept him around since acquiring him from the Tampa Bay Rays, which shows they do see something in him.
