Emmet Sheehan is heading back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, even after he tossed six absolutely lights-out, scoreless innings on Sunday against the Miami Marlins. Yeah, you read that right. He dominated on Sunday, but he is still getting shipped out ahead of Monday night’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. This move ain’t about performance, folks, it is about a different kind of grind for the Dodgers, and it just shows you how wild the pitching situation is getting in L.A.
Sheehan’s Stellar Week Wasn’t Enough
It feels a bit harsh, doesn’t it? Especially since Sheehan was just called back up himself, and he had been dealing! Last week alone, he allowed only a single run across 11 2/3 innings, racking up 15 strikeouts in the process. Those are numbers any team would kill for, especially with a fresh arm late in the season. But here is the cold hard truth: Sheehan is apparently on the outside looking in when it comes to the Dodgers’ postseason rotation plans. Plus, you have to consider that Roki Sasaki might be back from his right middle finger blister at some point this week. It is a cutthroat business out there, and even when you are pitching your heart out, sometimes the numbers game just catches up to you. The Dodgers are in their final extended stretch of games this season, a grueling 10-game marathon where Monday is just day four. They need arms, sure, but they also have to be thinking about who makes that final roster come October.
Gervase Is Back To Bolster A Worn-Out Bullpen
So, who is coming up to fill the void? Paul Gervase is getting his fifth stint in the majors this season, arriving from Triple-A to give the Dodgers’ bullpen some much-needed relief. And let me tell you, they need it. This bullpen has been absolutely torched lately, using four relievers on Friday, three on Saturday, and another four on Sunday against the Marlins. That is a lot of arms burning through innings. Gervase is a huge addition, literally. This 6’10” right-hander last pitched for Oklahoma City on Friday, snagging a four-out save in a scoreless outing and striking out four to close out a win. On the season in Triple-A, he has a 4.56 ERA with five saves over 38 games, fanning 66 batters but walking 35 in 47 1/3 innings. However, his big-league numbers look pretty solid with a 2.35 ERA in his four appearances for the Dodgers, collecting eight strikeouts and five walks in 7 2/3 innings. They are hoping his fresh arm can eat some innings and save some of the other guys as they navigate this brutal end-of-season stretch.
Heading into Monday’s game against the Reds, the Dodgers’ bullpen is going to be leaned on heavily again. It is a relentless stretch, and every arm counts. Keep an eye on how Gervase performs; if he can keep those big-league numbers up, he could be a secret weapon. The pitching carousel keeps spinning, and for now, it is all about surviving this last big push before the real pressure hits.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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