Emmet Sheehan has been activated off the 60-day injured list to start against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, marking his return to the major leagues after recovering from hybrid Tommy John surgery. To accommodate Sheehan on the active roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers optioned Matt Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Sauer’s recent performance included 2⅓ innings of relief on Tuesday, during which he gave up three runs in a victory over the Padres. His stats have taken a hit in recent outings, with a current ERA of 6.18 and 22 strikeouts compared to eight walks over 27⅔ innings this season. This option marks the fourth time Sauer has been sent down during the current season, meaning he has limited opportunities left before being subject to waivers for another demotion.
Sheehan hasn’t pitched in the majors since the 2023 National League Division Series after undergoing surgeries on his right elbow last May. The Dodgers had the necessary roster space to activate him after designating right-hander José Ureña for assignment on June 10.
Given that the team’s relief pitchers have been heavily used in the early part of this series, the Dodgers face challenges in managing their pitching staff behind Sheehan, with options being limited to Justin Wrobleski, who is available after throwing 66 pitches in a previous game.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed enthusiasm about the return of Sheehan, stating, “Emmet’s going to start [Wednesday], which is exciting.” The team is looking forward to seeing how Sheehan performs as they navigate their pitching depth throughout this series.
This activation not only provides an opportunity for Sheehan to showcase his skills but also adds depth to the Dodgers’ pitching lineup as they work towards the latter part of the season. As the team faces challenges, the return of a skilled pitcher like Sheehan brings hope for improved outcomes in upcoming games.