Dodgers retain Sheehan in rotation amid pitching crisis
Despite a 5.13 ERA and recent struggles against the Philadelphia Phillies, Emmet Sheehan keeps his starting role while the Los Angeles Dodgers navigate significant injuries across their pitching staff.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have confirmed that pitcher Emmet Sheehan will retain his position in the starting rotation, despite a recent performance against the Philadelphia Phillies that contributed to a season ERA of 5.13. Manager Dave Roberts stated that the 26-year-old right-hander will continue to start until a viable alternative becomes available, highlighting the severe constraints on the team’s pitching resources.
Sheehan’s outing against the Phillies was marked by early difficulties, with the Dodgers conceding four runs in the second inning and two more in the sixth. The performance added to a tally of 17 home runs allowed this season, the second-highest total on the team behind Roki Sasaki. Roberts identified a noticeable dip in Sheehan’s velocity as a primary concern, noting that while the pitcher is aware of his inconsistencies, the current roster situation leaves little room for experimentation.
The decision to keep Sheehan in the rotation is driven by a critical lack of healthy options within the Dodgers’ staff. Shohei Ohtani has been shut down due to a knee injury, effectively reducing the rotation to five players. Tyler Glasnow remains on the 60-day injured list, while Gavin Stone has not thrown a pitch this season. Additionally, River Ryan has been sidelined since late June with a hamstring injury.
Blake Snell is currently on a rehab assignment in Triple-A and is expected to eventually fill a vacancy in the rotation, but his return timeline remains uncertain. Until Snell is ready to contribute, the Dodgers lack immediate replacements for Sheehan. This structural deficit forces the management to prioritize continuity over performance metrics, at least for the time being.
Sheehan had shown signs of improvement prior to the All-Star break in July, allowing three earned runs over 9.2 innings in two starts. However, the recent performance against Philadelphia represented a step back. Roberts acknowledged the frustration surrounding the inconsistency but emphasized that the team must run with the options currently available to them.
