Dodgers News: Emmet Sheehan Dealing With Minor Health Issue, Says Dave Roberts

When will Sheehan be back?

Emmet Sheehan wasn't supposed to be up in the Big Leagues last year.

While a decently touted prospect, no one expected the big right-handed hurler to fly through the minor league system en route to pitching in important games for the Dodgers.

Featuring a heavy fastball and a nasty changeup, the 6-foot-5 Sheehan did not look out of place at any point last year. Some projections have him slotting into an end-of-the-rotation spot at the start of this season. 

However, Sheehan's Spring Training has been a bit slowed. When speaking with reporters, Manager Dave Roberts offered this explanation: 

#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Emmet Sheehan still hasn't faced live hitters due to some general body soreness. Nothing alarm, however, and shouldn't limit him to start the season.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) February 25, 2024

Sheehan had been throwing earlier in camp. With Shohei Ohtani standing at the dish and not swinging the bat (to work on his tracking of the baseball), it was Sheehan firing in pitches. 

As is the case with virtually every player, there comes a time when the muscles don't feel quite as great during the Spring Training period. Though the offseason is used somewhat as a workout period, being able to simulate a major league practice isn't always the easiest thing to do. 

Emmet Sheehan 🙋⚾

©yukoinphx pic.twitter.com/xj4pC1sLo3

— yu-1linda (@yu_1_linda99) February 16, 2024

Fortunately for the Dodgers, it doesn't appear as if anything is seriously wrong with the talented pitcher. 

Based on how everything is shaking out at this current time, Sheehan will be an integral member of this team. We've already spoken consistently about the injury history of Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton. Walker Buehler is still rehabbing his elbow, and Clayton Kershaw might not be back until July at the earliest. 

That leaves an inexperienced Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a talented yet still young arm in Bobby Miller left to round out the expected starting rotation. 

In 60.1 IP with the Dodgers a season ago, Sheehan made 11 starts. He finished with a 4-1 record and a 4.92 ERA. Most impressively, he allowed only 46 hits on the season and garnered 64 strikeouts.