Emmet Sheehan DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (elbow) faced live hitters in a simulated game on Thursday, according to manager Dave Roberts. The skipper doesn't know when Sheehan will be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment, but also said "he's getting close." Sheehan threw roughly 40 pitches on Thursday and will be built up as a starter given all the team's injuries to their starters in the early portion of the season. The 25-year-old is working his way back after having a hybrid Tommy John surgery and internal-brace procedure on May 15 of last year. He has been throwing off a mound since late March, but there's still no timetable for his return. In a best-case scenario, Sheehan will be available to the Dodgers in the second half of this year, but he won't be guaranteed a rotation spot. In his first 13 big-league outings (11 starts) in 2023, he had a 4.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 64:26 K:BB in 60 1/3 innings.

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan (elbow) is hoping to start rehab games in May or June. The 25-year-old has been throwing off a mound but still has to progress through many stages of his recovery process before embarking on an assignment. Sheehan was unable to pitch all last season due to a forearm injury. In May, he underwent an internal brace procedure. In 2023, the Boston College product logged 60 1/3 innings of work with a 4.92 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He struck out 64 batters but struggled with his command as he held a hefty 10.5 percent walk rate. Under the hood, he generated a 3.50 xERA and a .186 xBA, which suggests that he should see some positive regression once he returns to the mound. However, given the crowded Los Angeles rotation that will also welcome back Shohei Ohtani, he may have to shift to a long relief role.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (elbow) said that his Tommy John surgery last week also included an internal brace. Sheehan also said he suffered an oblique injury during spring training, in addition to the forearm irritation he dealt with. He mentioned an expected 13 months before his potential return, which essentially means he won't be an option for the Dodgers' starting rotation until around the All-Star break in 2025. The former sixth-round selection in 2021 out of Boston College won't return anytime soon after not being able to pitch at all in 2024. In his major-league debut last year, Sheehan went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA (4.85 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 26 walks and 64 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings over 13 outings (11 starts). There's obvious strikeout upside with Sheehan for fantasy managers in keeper/dynasty leagues, but home runs and walks were an issue last year.