Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan is inching closer to a full comeback this season, with his recent rehab from Tommy John surgery sparking fresh optimism in the clubhouse. The 25-year-old, who last pitched meaningfully in 2023, tossed a simulated inning at Dodger Stadium just days ago, showing the kind of velocity that once made him a prospect to watch. Indeed, scouts and insiders are buzzing about his potential to slot into the rotation amid the team's injury-riddled pitching staff.
Sheehan's journey hasn't been smooth. Drafted in the sixth round out of Boston College in 2021, he burst onto the scene with a 4.92 ERA over 11 starts as a rookie, striking out 57 in 50 and two-thirds innings. But elbow troubles sidelined him early last year, forcing the surgery that kept him out until now. His fastball, clocking in the mid-90s with sharp life, could be a game-changer for a Dodgers squad already leaning on stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. However, questions linger about his command after the long layoff—his walk rate hovered around 3.5 per nine innings pre-injury, a stat that might bite in high-stakes October games.
Manager Dave Roberts has been coy, but recent comments suggest Sheehan could see his first start against the Giants as early as this weekend. The Dodgers, sitting pretty in the NL West with a deep bullpen, aren't rushing, yet the pressure is on to bolster their arms before the playoffs. Moreover, with Sheehan's minor-league rehab line showing a crisp 2.25 ERA over 12 innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the front office seems convinced he's ready. Still, one can't ignore the risks; pitchers returning from TJS often struggle with consistency, and the Dodgers' history of bold moves—like signing Shohei Ohtani—adds layers to this narrative.
Indeed, Sheehan's story fits the Dodgers' pattern of turning prospects into postseason heroes. As the regular season winds down, his integration could tip the scales in a wide-open National League. But will the young hurler's arm hold up under the spotlight, or will it falter like so many before him?