Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Provides Injury Update on Emmet Sheehan, Potential Return Timeline

Emmet Sheehan wasn’t supposed to be in the big leagues last season but the Los Angeles Dodgers needed him. He pitched well and earned his way into a discussion of whether he could break camp in the starting rotation.

More than one week into camp, Sheehan hasn’t pitched in a Cactus League game yet — and most likely won’t.

It’s nothing to be worried about. The young right-hander is reportedly dealing with some general body soreness — a not-uncommon issue for any player early in spring training — but Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports there’s a chance Sheehan won’t even be ready for South Korea.

As a rookie last season, Sheehan appeared in 13 games, starting 11. He recorded a 4.92 ERA, a 4-1 record, 64 strikeouts, and a 1.19 WHIP in 60.1 innings.

The Dodgers already have starting pitchers who will miss the start of the season — Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin — and don’t need to add another one to the list. From the sounds of it, Sheehan will be ready to start the season domestically for the home opener against St. Louis on March 28.

Since the Dodgers only need two starting pitchers for their travel roster to Seoul, a cautious approach with Sheehan makes sense. As long as he’s ready to pitch by the beginning of April, the rotation won’t miss a beat.

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