Emmet Sheehan clearly on thin ice after weird Dave Roberts moment in Dodgers-Padres finale

With the Los Angeles Dodgers awaiting the eventual returns of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki given every opportunity to develop while remaining in the rotation, Sunday's loss to the San Diego Padres provided even more confirmation that Emmet Sheehan seems to be on borrowed time in his current role.

After posting a 2.82 ERA in just over 73 innings pitched last season, the impression was that Sheehan's emergence in the rotation could give the Dodgers options this season. Popular speculation involved a potential trade of Glasnow.

Instead, Sheehan's regression has made it clear that he's on thin ice. The 26-year-old took the loss on Sunday, but wasn't terrible. He struck out five in just over four inning of work, giving up one run on three hits and three walks. What made things awkward is how Dave Roberts ultimately decided to pull Sheehan from the game.

After getting the first out in the fifth inning, Sheehan issued a walk to Luis Campusano and then was tagged for a double by Fernando Tatis Jr. With runners on second and third with one out, Sheehan was visited by pitching coach Mark Prior. The impression was that Sheehan was going to initially be given an opportunity to work his way out of that jam, but it was Prior who ultimately made the pitching change.

The move worked, Jack Dreyer escaped the inning unscathed, but it was hard not notice the lack of trust the Dodgers had in Sheehan in the moment. Dave Roberts was asked about it after the game, suggesting he changed his mind but attempted to deflect any intentional slight toward Sheehan.

Dave Roberts made it clear what the Dodgers really think of Emmet Sheehan

Had Roberts just made the change at first, this likely wouldn't be a thing. The Padres lineup just turned over, Sheehan was approaching 100 pitches, and there were runners in scoring position. Normal circumstances called for Roberts to make the change.

The problem is there was nothing normal about how Sheehan was pulled from Sunday's game. If anything, it was even more confirmation that once the Dodgers pitching staff is healthy, Sheehan will be the odd man out.

Of course, it's hard not to make that realization without acknowledging that the trade deadline is a month away. Sheehan remains a clear candidate to be involved in a potential Tarik Skubal trade, considering that would give the Detroit Tigers an arm who can immediately be plugged into the rotation. At this rate, Sheehan likely wouldn't be opposed to a change of scenery.

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