
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (forearm) hasn't thrown off a mound yet, but he's progressing well and has been ramping up the intensity of his long-toss program. Sheehan has been throwing after being shut down in the middle of April due to a right-forearm injury that he suffered in mid-March in spring training. The 24-year-old will be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on May 18, but that's probably not going to happen given the fact that he has yet to pitch all season to this point. But if Sheehan can avoid any setbacks from here on out, he should be able to rejoin the Dodgers' big-league roster before the All-Star break. He debuted in the majors in 2023 and went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 26 walks and 64 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings over 13 appearances (11 starts).


Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Monday. "Velocity was good. He'll throw another one. ... From everything I've seen (a rehab assignment) is coming pretty quickly, which is really encouraging," manager Dave Roberts said. This was Miller's second bullpen session since he was placed on the injured list on April 13 due to right-shoulder inflammation. The 25-year-old is going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment soon, but it's unclear if he'll need to make more than one start on the farm before rejoining the Dodgers' starting rotation. Despite posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 11 2/3 innings in his first three starts in 2024 before getting hurt, Miller needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats for his high-end strikeout upside with the best offense in baseball backing him each time out.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward (back) did more hitting/baserunning on Tuesday and will take live batting practice in San Diego this weekend. Heyward is getting closer to a minor-league rehab assignment, which could last between two and five games, according to manager Dave Roberts. The 34-year-old left-handed hitter also took batting practice on the field before last Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves and finally appears to be putting his back injury in the rearview mirror after originally landing on the injured list way back on April 3. Given how good rookie outfielder Andy Pages has looked since debuting in the big leagues, Heyward may struggle for regular playing time in LA's outfield when he returns from the injured list.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session on Tuesday. Manager Dave Roberts said the session consisted of 20 pitches (all four-seam fastballs), and that Kershaw's left shoulder continues to feel good. His next steps will be ramping up in bullpens and mixing in breaking pitches. The skipper said it's all been "really encouraging" so far. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer is recovering from left-shoulder surgery last November and is slowly ramping up as he attempts to return to LA's starting rotation after the All-Star break. Kershaw has been injury-prone in recent years, but when he's been healthy, he's been fantasy relevant with the best offense in baseball backing him.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will get the day off on Wednesday for the series finale against the visiting Miami Marlins in a day game following a night affair. Austin Barnes will instead do the catching for right-hander Gavin Stone and will hit in the nine-hole versus Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers. Barnes is hitless in two career at-bats against Weathers and should be avoided in DFS as a light-hitting backstop at the bottom of the order. The Fresh Prince will get off his feet after going hitless in his last two games. However, Smith has been one of the most valuable fantasy catchers so far in 2024, as he's hitting a strong .331/.387/.508 with an .895 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI and 22 runs scored in 142 plate appearances. He should be back in there after a scheduled off day on Thursday for the start of a big series on Friday in San Diego against the division-rival Padres.
