Emmet Sheehan isn't long for Dodgers roster after forgotten pitcher's hitless rehab outing

The Los Angeles Dodgers have yet to deploy Emmet Sheehan as a bullpen arm since they recalled him on Tuesday. It makes sense; Sheehan last start before being demoted as a 2⅔-inning blowup against the Boston Red Sox, so he'll need to work his way back up Dave Roberts' trust tree.

He might not have long to make an impression, though, as a former rotation mate is already stealing his thunder while on a rehab assignment in Triple-A.

Gavin Stone hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024. He threw 140⅓ innings for a 3.53 ERA and was, by far, LA's most consistent starter...until he went onto the IL with shoulder inflammation in September and underwent surgery in the offseason. The injury kept him sidelined throughout 2025.

Stone was in spring training with the Dodgers this year and even managed to pitch once before reporting shoulder inflammation, the same issue that took him down in 2024.

He finally got back to game action with a rehab start on August 6 in Triple-A Oklahoma City, pitching 1⅔ innings and giving up a run. His latest feat, though: three innings, no hits, no walks, and five strikeouts.

Gavin Stone's hitless rehab start should give the Dodgers' bullpen a boost in September

Stone might have one more rehab start in him before his assignment has to end. It could line him up to return to the Dodgers on September 1, when they get back home after a six-game road trip against the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers.

The timing also coincides perfectly with rosters expanding to 28. If Sheehan manages to get through a couple of relief appearances unscathed, there may be room for both him and Stone for a time. But even then, Stone may leapfrog him and make Sheehan the easy cut when Edwin Díaz comes off the IL, or if the Dodgers see fit to recall Seth Halvorsen.

Stone's last major league start feels worlds away at this point, but we shouldn't forget that he was one of the Dodgers' most reliable starters in 2024, when their pitching staff was absolutely wrecked with injuries. His 140⅓ innings pitched made him LA's leader in that category, even after he missed the last month entirely.

With River Ryan gone and Tarik Skubal a free agent, there's a world in which Stone gets his spot in the rotation back next season. Even with all of the injuries delaying his return, he's wasted no time building a case for himself.

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