The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Emmet Sheehan underwent season-ending right elbow UCL surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in L.A. on Wednesday.
The surgery was considered a success and Sheehan is expected to make a full recovery. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not know the specifics if the right-hander underwent a fully Tommy John surgery, or had an internal brace procedure, but he believes it’s the former.
“Obviously, he’ll be down for this year, and we’ll know more as it progresses,” Roberts said. “But it’s something that is unfortunate to end this season, but expect a full recovery.”
Sheehan made his MLB debut last season, going 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. He showed elite stuff and pitched better than the results indicated, and he was the favorite to claim a rotation spot entering Spring Training.
Early in camp, Sheehan began experiencing body soreness after facing Shohei Ohtani in a live at-bat. Roberts believed that was due to Sheehan pushing himself too hard against the Dodgers’ new superstar, and they hoped he would be back soon.
It took longer for Sheehan to improve than expected, but he was confident he would return to the mound in 2024.
Sheehan did reach the point of playing long toss in his rehab and things were said to be progressing well before being totally shut down and undergoing surgery.
“There wasn’t a major setback,” Roberts said. “I just think that from what I heard, it just wasn’t responding the way he had hoped, we had hoped. And so I think at that point in time, with that information he was getting, that getting the surgery was the right decision.”
Sheehan will likely miss at least half of 2025 as well, given the recovery time from UCL surgery.
Emmet Sheehan was confused by shoulder injury report
Earlier in the season, Roberts said Sheehan was still troubled by shoulder troubles that caused a setback in his recovery.
However, Sheehan was confused to hear that statement as the issue was in his elbow.
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