As a 23-year-old in 2023, Emmet Sheehan made a statement while pitching for the Dodgers with an impressive MLB debut, no-hitting the San Francisco Giants for six innings in June. He finished that season
with a 4.92 ERA, but started 2024 on the injured list with right forearm inflammation before eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Emmet Sheehan’s return to the mound from May 2024 Tommy John surgery couldn’t have gone much better. In 2025, the right-hander returned to the mound for the Dodgers in mid-June, and he proved his worth and earned a key spot on the roster.
Upon his return to the Dodgers, Sheehan made significant contributions and became an essential source of organizational depth beyond their main starting pitchers. Sheehan’s versatility as both a starter and reliever proved valuable down the stretch and deep into the postseason.
Sheehan started 12 regular-season games and worked out of the bullpen in his other three appearances. He continued to work and build upon his solid return throughout the summer. He finished the regular season strong with a 2.82 ERA, 89 strikeouts, and a 0.97 WHIP in 73 1/3 innings. His starts against the Cincinnati Reds on August 25 and against the San Francisco Giants on September 21 stand out as highlights.
Sheehan rebounded quickly and got back to pitching for the Dodgers just in time for their World Series run. Upon his return, his 30.6% strikeout rate impressed. Many of Sheehan’s other stats including chase rate (32.8%) and whiff rate (32.9%) reflected his effectiveness since coming back from major surgery. His slider against right-handers and his changeup kept batters at bay.
In the postseason, Sheehan transitioned from a starting role to a key bullpen arm for the Dodgers. He started his 2025 playoff campaign shakily, but he bounced back with strong performances, contributing to key wins, including Game 7 of the World Series.
Sheehan described the Dodgers’ wild, extra-inning win in Game 3 of the 2025 World Series against the Blue Jays as “the craziest game he’s played in.” In that game, he pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief before Clayton Kershaw’s last-ever appearance, and the Dodgers eventually came away with the victory after 18 unforgettable innings.
Going into the 2026 season, the Dodgers have one of the best, if not the best, rotations in baseball with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki already penciled in.
Sheehan figures to be in the Dodgers’ starting rotation mix if built up as such or as a high-leverage reliever out of the bullpen. Glasnow and Snell have been injury-prone, and Ohtani is coming off his first full season as a starting pitcher and full-time DH since 2023 with the Angels.
2025 particulars
Age: 25
Stats: 6-3, 15 games (12 starts), 73 1/3 IP, 2.82 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 0.986 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, 1.0 bWAR, 2.1 fWAR
Postseason: 8.59 ERA, six games, 7 1/3 IP, 13 H, 7 R, 5 BB, 6 K
Salary: Base Salary: Approximately $780,000.
Bonus Pool: Received $248,666 from the performance-based bonus pool
Game of the year
Sheehan pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief during the 18-inning marathon of Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.
Roster status
Sheehan is under team control and will be eligible for arbitration in 2027, becoming a free agent in 2030. He has two option years remaining.
