Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reveals Why Emmet Sheehan Hasn't Faced Live Hitters Yet
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to the media on Sunday about a variety of topics, including young right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan.
Sheehan is coming off a solid rookie season in which he was thrust into the Dodgers’ rotation due to injuries. However, we have yet to witness Sheehan face live batters this spring training. Roberts updated the media regarding Sheehan, including MLB.com’s Juan Toribio, on what’s keeping Sheehan from facing live hitters:
This doesn’t sound like a serious concern, but the Dodgers are being extremely cautious with the 24-year-old.
So long as the issue to translate into the regular season, the former sixth-round draft pick could earn a spot in the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation. Sheehan and others have an opportunity with ace Walker Buehler delaying his start to the 2024 season as he works back from Tommy John surgery on his elbow.
Sheehan would join a stacked Dodgers rotation. In his rookie season, the right-handed pitcher 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 last thing the Dodgers need is for one of their healthy arms to miss an extended period of time. From the sounds of it, that won’t be the case with Sheehan but it’s unclear when he’ll face opponents this spring training.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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