Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan spoke about the velocity trouble he had in his first start of the season Saturday.
Sheehan had a rocky outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing four runs in 3.1 innings while throwing 83 pitches. His fastball sat around his 2025 average velocity of 95.6 mph in the first inning, but began to tail off as the game progressed.
His velocity dropped to 93.7 mph in the second inning before going back up to 94 in the third inning, but it reached it’s lowest point at 92.8 mph in the fourth before he came out.
The Diamondbacks scored first in the game, taking the lead through a double in the second, then extended their lead through a Ketel Marte homer in the third. Thomas tagged Sheehan for two more runs in the fourth with his second double of the game.
Manager Dave Roberts didn’t quite have an answer for the cause, saying the Dodgers “don’t have an answer,” but Sheehan is more confident he can figure out the issue.
“I think it’s just (that) my delivery is a little bit off,” Sheehan said. ‘But we’re working hard on it, so it’s going to get right. I know it will.”
The Dodgers still won the game, taking the lead in the eighth inning through new signing Kyle Tucker’s second RBI as a Dodger, and are undefeated through their first series of the new season.
Mar 27, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan (80) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesHow Did Emmet Sheehan Perform in 2025?
Sheehan returned from Tommy John surgery midway through the 2025 season, and made 15 appearances for the Dodgers. He pitched 73.1 innings and struck out 89 batters while posting a 2.82 ERA.
Now entering his first full MLB season with LA, he’ll look to figure out his velocity issue and earn his first win of the season in his next start.
The Dodgers don’t have Sheehan listed to pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in their next series at Dodger Stadium, so his next appearance is likely to come against the Washington Nationals on the road in the coming week.
LA have a rest day Sunday, and will jump into action against the Guardians on Monday at 7:10 p.m. PT.
LA Baseball Report
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