Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan Out for 2024 MLB Season After Surgery on Elbow Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan will miss the rest of the 2024 season after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow.

The Dodgers' projected No. 5 starter began the 2024 season on the injured list.

A sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Sheehan made his MLB debut last season on June 16. He finished his first season with a 4-1 record and 4.92 ERA in 13 appearances and 60.1 innings pitched.

He finished the campaign with a 1.19 WHIP, striking out 64 while allowing 26 walks.

The right-hander improved during the final stretch of last season, allowing six hits and four walks while striking out 24 batters during his final three appearances.

That development appeared set to make him a competitor for the starting rotation in 2024, but Sheehan will now have to wait until 2025 to return to the majors.

Sheehan was originally placed on the 60-day IL after being diagnosed with "forearm inflammation" that resulted in the team stopping him from pitching more than once since the start of spring training, Bill Plunkett reported for the Orange County Register.

His season-ending surgery could mean more starts for right-hander Gavin Stone, who left camp as the team's fifth starter.

The Dodgers will continue leaning on top starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton as the team's rotation injuries increase.

Walker Buehler is back in the rotation, but continuing to adjust after returning from 22 months sidelined due to Tommy John surgery.

Left-handed pitcher Bobby Miller is still working his way back from a right shoulder injury that has sidelined him since April 10, while star pitcher Clayton Kershaw is preparing to make his return from shoulder surgery.

Dustin May is recovering undergoing a second elbow surgery in July, while Tony Gonsolin is still sidelined after undergoing Tommy John surgery last August.

The Dodgers are hoping to receive a midseason boost from the anticipated returns of Miller and Kershaw. Until then, Los Angeles has so far remained on top of the NL West despite the injuries with a 29-16 record to start the season.