Dodgers demoting Emmet Sheehan tells fans all they need to know

The Los Angeles Dodgers can dress up Emmet Sheehan’s latest demotion however they want. They can call it roster flexibility, development, a reset or simply the consequence of needing another fresh bullpen arm.

But abruptly optioning Sheehan back to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday so Paul Gervase can take his roster spot reveals that the Dodgers simply do not trust Sheehan to get important outs right now.

Gervase is now beginning his fourth stint with the Dodgers this season despite appearing in only four Major League games. His 2.35 ERA looks fine in a microscopic sample, but he also owns a 1.57 WHIP and has hardly established himself as somebody Dodgers fans have been clamoring to see more of. His Triple-A numbers — a 4.86 ERA across 31 appearances — don't exactly scream indispensable bullpen weapon, either.

Yet the Dodgers apparently believe Gervase can help them more right now than Sheehan.

Dodgers demoting Emmet Sheehan in favor of Paul Gervase is as insulting as it gets

Sheehan had only recently been recalled earlier this week when Edwin Díaz landed on the injured list with neck inflammation, and Los Angeles didn't even use him. He spent two games sitting in the bullpen before getting shipped right back to Oklahoma City before the Dodgers open their weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

That's especially notable because his most recent Triple-A start was encouraging. Sheehan struck out eight over 5.2 scoreless innings on Aug. 12 after the Dodgers sent him down earlier this month to work through his mechanical issues. Apparently, one strong outing wasn't enough to restore their confidence.

Sheehan has a 5.29 ERA through 95.1 innings with Los Angeles this season. The Dodgers have repeatedly given him opportunities because they clearly still believe in his stuff and long-term upside. But believing in a pitcher long term and trusting him in August of a championship chase are two very different things.

The Dodgers have reached the point of the season where every roster decision should be viewed through a postseason lens. They need pitchers they believe can get important outs, not merely pitchers they hope eventually figure things out.

Sheehan may very well return in September, potentially as a bullpen option. But if the Dodgers preferred another Paul Gervase cameo to keeping him around for even one more series, it's not difficult to decipher what the organization currently thinks.

Sheehan has fallen a long way down the Dodgers' trust hierarchy.

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