Dodgers Keep Sheehan in Rotation Despite Poor Start

Sheehan’s Struggles on the Mound

Monday’s loss to Philadelphia left Emmet Sheehan with a rough 2026 résumé. The 26‑year‑old right‑hander allowed four runs in the second inning and added two more in the sixth, pushing his ERA to 5.13 and his home‑run total to 17—second most on the team behind Roki Sasaki. “It’s not the consistency that any of us like or want, Emmet included,” manager Dave Roberts said, emphasizing that Sheehan still has a spot in the rotation for now. Sheehan himself called it “a step back today, which is pretty frustrating,” after seeing his earlier July outings—three earned runs in 9.2 innings—appear to show improvement.

Dodgers’ Pitching Depth Running Thin

The Dodgers have few immediate options to replace Sheehan if his play doesn’t improve. Shohei Ohtani has been shut down due to a knee problem, reducing the rotation to five arms. Blake Snell is nursing a comeback on a rehab assignment in Triple‑A, while Tyler Glasnow sits on the 60‑day injured list, Gavin Stone has yet to throw a pitch this season, and River Ryan has been sidelined since late June with a hamstring strain. With this limited pool, the club will likely continue to lean on Sheehan despite his recent struggles.

As the season wears on, the lack of depth forces the Dodgers to keep Sheehan in the lineup. The front office likely hopes his recent velocity dip turns around, but without reliable alternatives the decision is pragmatic rather than hopeful. If Sheehan can rebound quickly, the rotation will stay intact; if not, the club may be forced into a tough trade or promotion during the upcoming deadline window. For now, the team’s focus stays on finding a way to steady a rotation that has far fewer options than fans might assume.