Dodgers Optioning Emmet Sheehan

The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Emmet Sheehan to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared on Monday.

“I think for everyone, it’s the right thing to do,” Roberts said. “It’s going to give him a chance to reset, get out of this hot box of performance. Obviously, we believe in him. We’ve shown that year in and year out. I just had a good conversation with him.

“So he’ll start on Saturday for that OKC team. We just got to get him back to being who he is.”

Sheehan struggled on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, which was a continuation of his season-long issues that he has yet to figure out. The right-hander lasted just 2.2 innings on 58 pitches before exiting the game, and prior to leaving, he allowed five runs on six hits, which included three home runs.

During Sheehan’s outing, his velocity dropped significantly, and that has already been an issue all year. The right-hander’s fastball averaged just 93.3 mph, a drop of 1.2 mph from his season average, and by the third inning, it averaged just 92.1 mph.

Last season, Sheehan averaged 95.6 mph on his fastball, and this year it’s been at 94.4. He has also had multiple starts where it continued to drop each inning.

The 26-year-old has pitched to a 5.29 ERA this season with a 4.75 FIP and 1.29 WHIP in 95.1 innings. Sheehan has also seen his strikeout rate drop by roughly 4% from last season, and he is averaged 1.89 home runs allowed per nine innings.

The Dodgers believe his struggles are related to his mechanics, and there could be a mental aspect to it as well. Sheehan has continued to insist he’s healthy, and he told Roberts he feels great on Monday.

Last season, Sheehan looked like a potential ace in the making. In his first year back from Tommy John surgery, posted a 2.82 ERA, 2.93 FIP and 0.97 WHIP across 73.1 innings with a 30.6% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate.

The Dodgers hope a trip to OKC helps him get back on track and figure out the issues that are plaguing him, because the talent is too good for his struggles this season.

Eric Lauer stays in Dodgers rotation

With Sheehan going to Triple-A, the Dodgers are going to keep Eric Lauer in their rotation, Roberts said. The Dodgers previously informed Lauer he would move to the bullpen after Tarik Skubal was acquired.

Lauer has performed well in his stint with the Dodgers, and he was rumored to be a potential trade chip.