Emmet Sheehan is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers just weeks after being sent to triple-A for a "reset," a source familiar with the situation told The California Post. The right-handed pitcher is expected to be an option out of the bullpen and was slated to be with the team in Denver for its Tuesday night game against the Colorado Rockies.
Sheehan, 26, had struggled in his third MLB season, posting a 4-8 record with a 5.29 ERA over 20 starts. Inconsistent velocity and mechanics had plagued his performance throughout the campaign, culminating in a difficult outing against the Boston Red Sox on the eve of the trade deadline.
Following that performance, and with the Dodgers having acquired Tarik Skubal and retained Eric Lauer, Sheehan was optioned to Oklahoma City. Manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes described the move as a "reset" aimed at addressing his delivery.
After a brief, 22-pitch outing on Aug. 8, Sheehan delivered an encouraging performance in his next start, throwing 5 ⅔ scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. This outing was sufficient for the Dodgers to recall him, particularly as they seek additional innings from their bullpen during a series at the hitter-friendly Coors Field.
The recall offers Sheehan a chance for a fresh start in an otherwise disappointing season and could position him for a potential role in the postseason relief corps, similar to his contributions the previous year. The Dodgers are leveraging his return to add depth to their bullpen in a crucial part of the season.