Emmet Sheehan has been unable to build on his rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to right forearm inflammation. The 24-year-old was slowed in Spring Training because of what was first deemed general body soreness, and later, right shoulder soreness.
Sheehan did not pitch in a Cactus League game and was placed on the 15-day injured list when the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster was set for their matchup against the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series.
Sheehan’s injury was not considered serious at the time as he continued to face batters. However, he has since experienced a setback and is out for the foreseeable future.
In a bit of positive news, Sheehan underwent an MRI that showed no damage to his flexor tendon and just the forearm inflammation, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Sheehan said a recent MRI showed no damage to his flexor tendons and “just forearm inflammation.”
While the news is encouraging, the Dodgers have not provided a timeline for when Sheehan may be able to return this season.
The right-hander spent an extended amount of time with the Dodgers last season due to injuries and went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA, 4.85 FIP and 1.19 WHIP across 13 games (11 starts).
Sheehan’s setback comes at a time in which the Dodgers’ pithing depth is being pushed to the limit. Bobby Miller was placed on the 15-day IL over the weekend due to right shoulder inflammation and Walker Buehler is still in the midst of his Minor League rehab assignment.
Meanwhile, Tony Gonsolin is not expected to pitch this year, and Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May could potentially return at some point in the second half.
Dodgers rotation options without Emmet Sheehan
Sheehan would have been a prime candidate to step in for Miller if not for his injury. Instead, the Dodgers find themselves with only healthy four starting pitchers in Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Gavin Stone and James Paxton.
Buehler is nearing a return, which means the team could temporarily rely on an opener for the time being.
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