When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal last December, the team’s starting rotation appeared set for October. Right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were established aces, while Shohei Ohtani was progressing toward his return, Clayton Kershaw re-signed for his 18th season, and Tony Gonsolin were expected to resume their pre-surgery trajectories.
Amid all that star power, Emmet Sheehan was almost an afterthought. Fast forward to September, and the 25-year-old right-hander has transformed into a legitimate candidate for a postseason role. Through 12 appearances this season, Sheehan is 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA, quietly emerging as one of the most dependable arms in the Dodgers’ rotation.
Dodgers Considering Emmet Sheehan For Post-Season Role
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“Oh, he’s a real [postseason] option,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday. “I don’t know what capacity, but when you’re playing meaningful games, young player, you’re looking at how they handle their emotions. And Emmet is, I like to use the word unflappable, and it’s a huge compliment. And he’s unflappable.”
Sheehan’s latest performance on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies highlighted why Roberts is seriously considering him for October. He carried a perfect game into the fifth inning and finished seven innings with just three hits and one earned run allowed, striking out nine while walking a single batter in the Dodgers’ 7-2 win.
“He knows he’s talented, and he knows how to execute pitches. He’s got good stuff, and no moment is too big for him,” Roberts added. “I know that he’s a viable option for us now going forward.”
Sheehan’s rise comes amid a tumultuous season for the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Dustin May, a projected key contributor, was traded to the Red Sox, while Tony Gonsolin suffered a season-ending elbow injury. Dodgers starters have collectively been taxed, highlighted by a bullpen that has pitched 585.2 innings and ranks 19th in ERA through Tuesday, with only seven teams blowing more saves. In contrast, Sheehan has been remarkably consistent.
Since returning from an internal brace procedure on his right UCL in May 2024, Sheehan has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 12 starts. Though he has never exceeded 100 pitches in a game, he has routinely pitched five or more innings in seven starts, demonstrating durability and reliability that the Dodgers’ rotation sorely needs.
Roberts and the Dodgers are particularly encouraged by Sheehan’s ability to handle high-pressure situations. His previous postseason experience in the 2023 NLDS—where he relieved Clayton Kershaw in Game 1—was less than ideal. He allowed three earned runs in 3.2 innings, but this season has shown that the young right-hander has grown into a pitcher who can execute under pressure. Over his last five starts, Sheehan has posted a 1.45 ERA across 18.2 innings, striking out 25 while walking just four.
“He’s got the ability to manage both his emotions and the game,” Roberts said. “That’s invaluable in meaningful games, and it’s why we’re now looking at him as a postseason option.”
With the Dodgers’ postseason looming, Sheehan’s emergence adds a new layer of flexibility for manager Dave Roberts. While Kershaw, Snell, and the other established starters remain cornerstones of the rotation, Sheehan could fill a crucial role—whether as a mid-series starter, long reliever, or spot starter in high-leverage games.
The trajectory is clear: a pitcher once overlooked is now in serious consideration for October. For a Dodgers staff navigating injuries and postseason pressure, having a dependable, unflappable arm like Sheehan could make all the difference.