WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation was considered to be a massive strength for the team heading into the 2026 season. However, with delayed starts to Blake Snell and injuries to Gavin Stone, that depth has been tested early.
Due to those circumstances, an even greater opportunity has been created for right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who was the team’s Game Two starter after Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who got the nod on Opening Day.
However, while Sheehan has been healthy to start the season, the right-hander has shown some inconsistencies in his performance, especially with his velocity, which has raised eyebrows.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts alluded that Sheehan’s dip in velocity is not linked to an injury but a possible mechanics issue, to which Sheehan also agreed.
Sheehan made his 2026 debut last week against the Diamondbacks and had a shaky outing, giving up four runs on five hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out six, walked two, and allowed a homer, while his fastball sat nearly 2 mph slower than last season. Leaning on his changeup helped, and he says he’s feeling close to getting back to form.
“I think so. We’re working really hard. I think we’re making progress every week, and I think we’re pretty close to getting to where it should be.”
“I think just the timing of certain things right now isn’t where it should be and where it’s been in the past. The coaches are doing a great job of breaking it all down for me and giving me drills and stuff like that to get back.”
Sheehan enters his first full season post-Tommy John, after a strong comeback last summer. In 15 appearances (12 starts), he went 6-3 with a 2.82 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 10.9 strikeouts per nine over 73.1 innings.
The right-hander figures to be a mainstay in the Dodgers’ rotation even when other members return from injury and will get another chance to adjust tomorrow in Game One versus the Washington Nationals.
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