LOS ANGELES — Rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure is a protracted highway, and Emmet Sheehan is almost on the finish.
Sheehan was again at Dodger Stadium forward of Saturday’s recreation towards the Giants, and he is anticipated to make his subsequent begin for the Dodgers. The 25-year-old right-hander will throw a bullpen session on Sunday, after which the crew will determine when it may make sense to activate him from the 60-day injured record.
Supervisor Dave Roberts didn’t make Sheehan’s imminent return official, though the crew may definitely use one other arm within the rotation to shut out the homestand. As with every pitcher coming back from a serious surgical procedure, it is unclear what precisely the Dodgers can count on to get out of Sheehan. However the group has been very inspired by how he is come out of his rehab.
“I feel that coming off Tommy John, you simply actually do not know what to anticipate,” Roberts mentioned, “however I feel that we noticed a little bit little bit of it in Spring Coaching. After which all of the reviews from that time to now have simply been actually optimistic each day trip. He is been holding his stuff, and with the physicality … it’s going to be a pleasant infusion, if it really works out.”
Sheehan hasn’t pitched in an enormous league recreation since his rookie season in 2023, when he went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA throughout 13 video games (11 begins). He started ’24 on the injured record and ended up having Tommy John surgical procedure in Might of that 12 months.
13 months post-op, Sheehan is trying ahead to being a contributor for the Dodgers. He made 4 Minor League rehab begins, most not too long ago stretching out to three 1/3 innings on 63 pitches on Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis. He is anticipated to be good for round 4 innings in his subsequent outing.
“I really feel like [my stuff is] fairly near what it was earlier than,” Sheehan mentioned. “Command was the factor I used to be a little bit apprehensive about coming again, as a result of I do know that some folks battle with that, nevertheless it’s been actually good to date.”
Sheehan must be on flip to make a begin through the upcoming four-game set towards the Padres at Dodger Stadium. He may pitch Tuesday on 5 days’ relaxation or Wednesday on six days’ relaxation.
The Dodgers’ rotation took one other hit when Tony Gonsolin grew to become the newest starter to go on the IL on June 7, however the crew has gained extra readability on its pitching employees in current days. Ben Casparius is becoming a member of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin Might within the rotation, and Sheehan will spherical out the group as soon as he is again.
Prior to now week, Tyler Glasnow confronted hitters and Blake Snell resumed throwing bullpen periods, a step ahead for each of them. Shohei Ohtani continued going through hitters and upped his workload to 3 innings. There’s nonetheless a protracted strategy to go till the Dodgers’ rotation is again at full energy, however current developments have been promising.
And the approaching return of Sheehan may present a lift within the brief time period.
“I really feel like at any level, I am simply attempting to contribute and do no matter my half is on the crew, no matter they want,” Sheehan mentioned. “Proper now, it is positively good to come back again round once they seem to be they sort of want somebody.”
