Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan was to be activated on Wednesday, June 18, and set to start against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. It will be Sheehan’s first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2024.
Back in May, Sheehan pitched live batting practice to injured Dodgers teammates Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández. Sheehan then went down to Triple-A Oklahoma City for three rehab starts and he worked two innings at the Arizona Complex League.
Emmet Sheehan Makes Comeback for Dodgers
Sheehan, 25, talked with SportsNet LA ahead of Wednesday’s start. He said that he was super excited to return and that he’d traveled a long road to get back. When asked about the toughest part of his recovery process, Sheehan said not being able to contribute last year, when the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series, was tough.
“I don’t feel like I’m too emotional out there ever,” Sheehan said. “I feel like being here before and getting some good experience in ’23 helps a lot with going out there and kind of know what to expect. Once I’m out there and see the hitter in the box, it’s all just compete.”
Making his return to the mound tomorrow for the first time in 13 months since having Tommy John surgery, Emmet Sheehan chats with @THEREAL_DV ahead of the #Dodgers matchup tonight with the Padres. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/BA9MKSki5I
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 18, 2025
Since his rookie year in 2023, when he went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA in 13 games (11 starts), Sheehan has not appeared in a major-league game. He started the 2024 season on the Dodgers’ Injured List before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Sheehan is eager to contribute for the Dodgers 13 months after surgery. At Triple-A Oklahoma City last Thursday, he pitched 3 1/3 innings on 63 pitches.
Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin landed on the Injured List on June 7, further hurting the team’s rotation. In the last few days, the Dodgers have been able to tweak their pitching staff.
Once Ben Casarius returns, Sheehan joins a rotation filled with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Shohei Ohtani.
Blake Snell resumed throwing bullpen sessions and Tyler Glasnow faced hitters in the last week, a positive development for both players. Ohtani returned to the mound in the Padres’ series.
The recent progress around Dodgers pitching is encouraging. Sheehan’s comeback will give Los Angeles a boost. The Dodgers optioned Matt Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City in order to free up space for Sheehan on the active roster.
Sauer worked 2 1/3 innings of relief in an 8-6 Dodgers win over the Padres. Sauer gave up three runs in his outing. He has a 6.18 ERA with 22 strikeouts and eight walks in 27⅔ innings this season. Sauer will be out of options once he gets called up again to the major-league club.