Sheehan Shines in Return from Tommy John Surgery

LOS ANGELES: Emmet Sheehan of the Los Angeles Dodgers marked his return from Tommy John surgery with an impressive performance against the San Diego Padres on Thursday.

Sheehan conceded only one run on three hits, issuing no walks and recording six strikeouts. The right-handed pitcher was sidelined for the entire 2024 season and the initial 74 games of the 2025 season.

Sheehan debuted in the Major League in 2023, holding a record of 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA across 13 games. During his recovery from an Anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL), he made four rehab starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing five runs over 11.1 innings while striking out 21.

The Dodgers recruited the right-handed pitcher in 2021. Following Tommy John’s surgery, he dedicated himself to overcoming his long-term injuries.

The Dodgers activated Emmet Sheehan, whose passion remained strong, especially as his rehab progress improved during spring training.

The 25-year-old has demonstrated considerable skill, making him a potential secret weapon for the Dodgers. His strong season debut preceded Will Smith’s walk-off pinch-hit homer against the Padres in Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory at Dodger Stadium.

Team manager Dave Roberts commended Sheehan, describing his performance as outstanding.

Dave Roberts’ Quote

“Emmet was fantastic,” Roberts stated.

“My mindset entering tonight was to trust his abilities and aggressively utilize his repertoire. And that’s precisely what he executed. He consistently found the strike zone, keeping the opposition off-balance.”

Sheehan noted the positive atmosphere within the team in Arizona this year, and the team’s achievements last year provided motivation for his comeback.

Emmet Sheehan’s Perspective

“We had a really good group in Arizona this year, so it was beneficial to spend time with those guys and not have to go through the recovery alone,” Sheehan commented.

“That was significant. It definitely meant a lot to be back out there, and witnessing what the team accomplished last year was truly special and served as a strong motivator for my return,” he added.