Sheehan's Bullpen Reset.
Dodgers recall Emmet Sheehan for bullpen role, eyeing fresh start after Triple-A reset.
Key Points
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts publicly acknowledged Sheehan’s talent but emphasized that, in big‑league games, he must produce results: "the talent is there... but you've got to perform."
Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that Sheehan will be used out of the bullpen upon his return to provide length for a taxed Dodgers bullpen, rather than immediately sticking him back into a starter role.
In Oklahoma City, Sheehan’s first outing after the demotion was rough (pulled in the first inning after allowing four hits and two runs), but he followed with 5 2/3 scoreless innings and eight strikeouts in his next start.
This season’s MLB numbers for Sheehan include a 4-8 record with a 5.29 ERA over 20 starts, with velocity fluctuations and mechanics inconsistencies noted as contributing factors to the struggles.
The move is framed as a fresh start at a hitter-friendly Coors Field with a potential path to a postseason relief role, and he was already at Coors Field in Denver hours before the Dodgers’ game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right-hander Emmet Sheehan from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, placing him in the bullpen for their game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The move ends a two-week minor-league reset designed to fix the mechanics issues that derailed his season, according to NBC Sports and Newsweek.
Sheehan is not returning as a starter. Instead, the Dodgers plan to use him as a long reliever, giving a taxed bullpen some extra length. The role also gives him a chance to rebuild his value heading into the postseason, Dodgers Nation reported.
A Rough Season Pushed Sheehan to the Minors
Sheehan's 2024 MLB numbers told a bleak story before the demotion. He went 4-8 with a 5.29 ERA across 20 starts. In his final seven outings before the reset, he went 1-4 with a 6.39 ERA and allowed five runs in just 2.2 innings against the Red Sox. Velocity drops and inconsistent mechanics were flagged as key causes of the struggles, according to Dodgers Nation.
Manager Dave Roberts did not sugarcoat expectations upon Sheehan's return. "The talent is there," Roberts said, "but you've got to perform." The comment signals that Sheehan enters this new role on a short leash, with results now the only metric that matters, NBC Sports noted.
Sheehan Steadied Himself in Oklahoma City
His Triple-A stint started badly. In his first outing with Oklahoma City, he was pulled in the first inning after giving up four hits and two runs. But Sheehan bounced back fast. His next start lasted 5.2 innings with zero runs allowed and eight strikeouts, showing a sharper, more controlled version of the pitcher the Dodgers signed, NBC Sports reported.
Overall in Triple-A, Sheehan posted a 2.84 ERA across two starts and struck out eight batters in 6.1 innings. A final prep start of 5.2 scoreless innings gave the Dodgers enough confidence to bring him back. He was already in Denver with the team hours before Tuesday's first pitch, Last Word on Sports confirmed.
Bullpen Role Sets Up a Postseason Opportunity
The Dodgers are not throwing Sheehan back into the rotation. Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that he will serve as a length option out of the bullpen, stepping in when starters exit early and sparing high-leverage relievers. The taxed Dodgers bullpen makes that role both needed and urgent right now.
Coors Field is a tough place to debut a new role — the thin air in Denver inflates offense and makes pitching harder. But the Dodgers see the assignment as a reset in more than one way. A strong showing in relief this week could put Sheehan on the roster for October, Newsweek noted.
Roster Move Triggered by Diaz Injury
To make room for Sheehan on the active roster, the Dodgers placed another player on the injured list. Infielder Alexis Diaz was moved to the IL to open the spot, Last Word on Sports reported. The move reflects the team's ongoing injury management challenge as the regular season winds down.
The Dodgers enter the stretch run with World Series expectations and a rotation that has been hit hard by injuries all year. Sheehan's ability to eat innings out of the bullpen — especially with a big arm and strikeout potential — could make him a useful piece if he can stay healthy and consistent through September.
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