Emmet Sheehan has been turning heads in the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation this season, especially after a gritty comeback from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old right-hander, who missed the early months of 2025 rehabbing, finally took the mound in mid-June against the Padres. In that debut outing, he delivered four solid innings, striking out five while allowing just one run—a performance that sparked whispers of reliability in a lineup already stacked with aces.
Indeed, Sheehan's return wasn't without its bumps. He struggled a bit in Boston during a July start, facing the Red Sox in his college backyard at Fenway Park. Yet, he bounced back to snag the win in a 5-2 victory, scattering hits and keeping the damage low. By season's end, his numbers tell a compelling story: a 2.82 ERA over 73.1 innings, with 89 strikeouts against only 22 walks, and a whip of 0.97 that screams control. Not bad for someone piecing together a year interrupted by major elbow work.
Moreover, as the Dodgers gear up for what could be another deep playoff run—fresh off a World Series title last fall—Sheehan's role looms larger. Manager Dave Roberts has hinted at deploying him in high-leverage spots, perhaps even as a starter in the NLDS if the matchups align right. His fastball-slider combo has been sharp, though scouts note a slight dip in velocity that might test him against October's brighter lights. Still, in a rotation featuring the likes of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, Sheehan adds that unexpected edge, the kind that turns good teams into champions.
However, questions linger about his stamina post-surgery. He logged just 73 innings this year, a far cry from the workloads of veterans, and any fatigue could expose vulnerabilities. The Dodgers, ever the optimists, seem undeterred, integrating him seamlessly into their plans.
Whatever unfolds in the coming weeks, Sheehan's journey from the sidelines to the forefront offers a reminder of baseball's unforgiving yet rewarding nature.