Although there was an opportunity in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation to begin the season, Emmet Sheehan fell out of the running for the Opening Day roster due to lingering soreness.
What Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially described as general body soreness then became right shoulder trouble. But when the Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series was set, the Dodgers placed Sheehan on the 15-day injured list with the designation of right forearm inflammation.
That came as somewhat of a surprise, though Sheehan did resume a throwing program during the Dodgers’ final week at Camelback Ranch.
“The arm is feeling a lot better,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He threw to hitters [Wednesday], so Emmet Sheehan is in a really good spot. Threw an inning, sitting 95 (mph), so it was good. He’ll probably throw a ‘pen in two or three days, and then he’ll throw to hitters again and probably ramp up to two innings.
“So Emmet is progressing really nicely, as is Walker Buehler.”
Avoiding a major injury is the best-case scenario for Sheehan, mainly because forearm inflammation is usually a precursor to a looming elbow injury and Tommy John surgery.
Sheehan had hopes of building off his 2023 season in which he went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA, 4.85 FIP and 1.19 WHIP across 13 games (11 starts) for the Dodgers.
Gavin Stone steps forward in Emmet Sheehan’s absence
Gavin Stone was also in the mix for the Dodgers’ fifth starter spot, and on the heels of a strong Spring Training, he earned the role.
Stone edged out Landon Knack, Kyle Hurt, Grove and Ryan Yarbrough for the final spot in the Dodgers’ rotation after he allowed just one run with 17 strikeouts over 13 innings pitched (five games; three starts).
Led by an elite changeup, Stone’s fastball saw a few upticks in velocity, providing an overall boost to his arsenal.
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