Dodgers manager confirms bad news about pitcher who was in competition for fifth spot in the rotation

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed reporters, through the Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris, that right-hander Emmet Sheehan will begin the upcoming season on the injured list. Sheehan has been sidelined during spring training due to shoulder discomfort and general body soreness, raising concerns about his availability for the team’s first game in North America on March 28.

The Dodgers kick off their 2024 season earlier than usual with a two-game series against the Padres in Seoul on March 20-21. Following this international stint, the team has a brief break to recuperate from jet lag before concluding their spring training schedule against the Angels. The regular season commences with a game against the Cardinals on March 28, coinciding with the league-wide opening day. Despite the chance that a 10-day IL stint for Sheehan might not impact regular-season play given the unique scheduling, the team is prioritizing his full recovery before he resumes pitching duties.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, Sheehan debuted in the MLB last season, recording a 4.92 ERA across 60 1/3 innings. While injuries in the rotation expedited his promotion to the majors, Sheehan managed to hold his own against elite hitters despite some concerning hard-contact and walk rates.

With minimal Triple-A experience, Sheehan’s strong showing in the big leagues initially placed him in contention for the Dodgers’ fifth rotation spot during spring training. However, his current injury setback halts this progression, potentially relegating him to a depth role in Triple-A depending on his recovery trajectory and the availability of other starting pitchers.

In Sheehan’s absence, Michael Grove, rookies Gavin Stone and Kyle Hurt, and versatile pitcher Ryan Yarbrough are now competing for starting opportunities. The projected starting rotation includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, James Paxton, and Bobby Miller, with Walker Buehler set to join the team later due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May are anticipated to contribute to the rotation post-midseason.