Thursday, May 16, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
Wednesday, Emmet Sheehan underwent season-ending ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery. It was either the well-known Tommy John surgery or a hybrid version. He should be ready to pitch sometime during the 2025 season.
Last season, out of necessity, Sheehan, 24, made his major league debut and appeared in 13 games. He had splashes of brilliance while at other times, he struggled. He had 4 wins and 1 loss with a 4.92 ERA.
This spring, the Los Angeles Dodgers thought Sheehan would play a major part of their pitching staff. After his first bullpen session, Sheehan experienced total body soreness, but then, he developed right forearm inflammation.
Sheehan’s inflammation never subsided, so elbow surgery was the most logical conclusion.
Although Tyler Glasnow is struggling against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, he has been fantastic in a Dodger uniform.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has performed better than most people thought. He has had adjustments to the major leagues, but he seemed unfazed by them after the Dodgers returned from South Korea. Yamamoto should continue to improve.
Gavin Stone is the surprise of the starting rotation. Last season, he toiled mightily in the major leagues. However, he developed two more pitches to go with his magnificent changeup. This season, Stone has been a Godsend to the Dodger starting rotation. In eight starts, Stone has 4 wins and a loss with a 3.24 ERA. Particularly when Bobby Miller went on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, Stone has been valuable.
While James Paxton had control problems, he has been doing great. In his last two starts, he fixed the mechanical problem that made it difficult for him to find the strike zone. James Paxton has 5 wins and no losses with a 2.58 ERA.
Walker Buehler has made two major league starts after missing almost two seasons with his second Tommy John surgery. Yes, he has toiled with his off-speed pitches. It will take him a while to learn how to win on the major league level again.
Wednesday, Miller threw a simulated game and thirty pitches. He thinks he will go on a rehabilitation assignment soon. He should be in the starting rotation by the All-Star break.
Every major league team is dealing with pitching injuries. Major League Baseball must figure out how to protect their young pitchers. Sheehan is another example why people want to limit pitching injuries.
