Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Critical of Rookie Emmet Sheehan After Nightmare Outing
With all the injuries that the Dodgers have seen this season, they have been forced to rely on multiple rookie pitchers in their starting rotation this season. It’s not something that any professional baseball team is keen on doing, but it’s just the reality that LA has found itself in this year.
So far they have survived by duct-taping together their rotation, but the need for pitching as the trade deadline approaches is growing by the day.
It became apparent once again over the weekend with rookie Emmet Sheehan being charged for eight runs in 3.2 innings of work.
It was a rough start for the rookie and his fourth straight start allowing at least four runs. His stuff hasn’t looked the same since his first two starts as major league batters are starting to catch on.
Sheehan spoke after the game and seemed to believe that he just wasn’t hitting his spots.
“I think the only challenge is one that I gave myself, which is not being in the zone enough,” he said. “ … I don’t think I was tentative. I thought I was ripping my stuff.”
Regardless of what went wrong, it did, and it brought the Dodgers back to earth a little bit. Manager Dave Roberts wasn’t pleased after the game and seemed to rip into the rookie pitcher a little.
“When you get predictable and you don’t have overpowering stuff, it’s hard to get through a Major League lineup,” Roberts said. “ … He’s got to learn from it. … You’ve got to kind of let it rip. Major League hitters, they smell fear. They see blood and when there’s a weakness, they’re gonna go after you. … So it’s a reality check. I still believe the stuff plays when it’s thrown with conviction.”
Roberts normally goes to bat for his guys, even after tough games, so it was a little surprising to see this. But Sheehan hasn't looked great in a few weeks, and maybe frustration came over him.
"As for the rookies, they’re being asked to carry a heavy load, and as Roberts alluded to, they’re still learning on the job."
Sheehan will likely get one more start before the trade deadline, and if the team does make any trades for starting pitchers, he could be one of the players sent back down to the minor league. He has good stuff, and he has seen success during his stay, but maybe spending time in the minors could be beneficial.
It remains to be seen what the Dodgers will do at the trade deadline, but one thing is for sure, they need pitching help, and badly.
