Dodgers Interview: Tommy John behind him, Sheehan looks forward to a productive year

LOS ANGELES — Emmet Sheehan didn’t need long to sum up his winter at DodgerFest. After returning to the Dodgers in mid-2025 following Tommy John surgery, the right-hander said the offseason was equal parts recharge and ramp-up, with one clear goal: be built for the whole ride in 2026. He talked about earning trust in big bullpen moments, learning on the fly in October, and how he’s trying to make sure his body is ready for “November baseball” this time around.

Sheehan’s 2025 was a case of getting stronger as the year progressed. After throwing a couple of clunkers early on, he finished as one of LA’s best starters, posting a 1.42 ERA in five September appearances. He got rocked a little early in the postseason, but righted the ship and pitched well in the critical Game 7, throwing a scoreless frame and paving the way for Yama’s late-game heroics.

Asked how his offseason went and how he’s feeling heading into camp, Sheehan kept it simple: “It was great. It was good to get some time at home, see some family, some friends, and yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to get back into it.”

The reflection on 2025 came a little later, he admitted. “It definitely didn’t hit me until probably a little bit into the offseason,” Sheehan said. What made it feel real wasn’t anything inside the clubhouse. It was hearing how far the run traveled. “It’s nice to get back and hear all the stories of people watching the games in different places. That was probably the coolest part.”

From there, Sheehan’s answer turned into a checklist of lessons learned along the way. “I think it’s a few things,” he said when asked what he’s taking into 2026. “The bullpen and getting that experience was nice to be able to come in the game ready to go, especially in big situations. Them having that trust in me was really nice.” And then came the part that matters most for his spring: “Making sure my body’s ready for the end of the year, for November baseball, because last year I started playing in June again and I didn’t get the full year. So hopefully that’s the goal this year, get through the entire year, stay healthy, and stay ready to go.”

When the conversation shifted to how “normal” he felt after surgery, Sheehan didn’t hedge. “I felt pretty normal, honestly,” he said. “I felt like my stuff came back to where it was before pretty soon.” He pointed straight to the people who got him there: “That’s a testament to the trainers and the coaches that did my rehab in Arizona and here too.” Now the goal is to stack on top of that baseline. “I’m looking to build on it and hopefully come back even stronger this year.”

And there were lessons from his disappointing October as well (9.95 ERA). “I think a few things,” he said of what he learned about himself. “Being able to get thrown in the fire in those big moments. Obviously I struggled a little bit early in the playoffs and then had to figure out how to adjust and be more ready for those situations later. That was a big learning experience.”

And, like so many young Dodger pitchers, he made it clear that he’s not married to one lane. The Dodgers’ staff is built to mix and match, and Sheehan came across as someone who’s fine being part of that flexibility. “That was huge,” he said of getting the bullpen experience. “Obviously we have a lot of really good starters and a lot of really good relievers. So whatever I can do to help, I’m always going to be ready to do that for the team.” And if the roster math pushes him into that role again? “That was great to get that experience and to be ready to do it again this year if I have to.”

The short offseason came up, too, and Sheehan was honest about how quickly it went. “Yeah, it definitely went by fast,” he said. “Obviously it’s a short offseason, so it was fast, but yeah, it felt pretty quick for sure.” The biggest challenge, he said, is physical more than anything. “You have less time to rest and then become ready again. Trying to speed that up any way you can.” For him, the answer was pretty straightforward: “Staying strong and lifting the whole time and physically trying to make sure I’m in the best state possible when I get back. It’s definitely a little bit harder for sure.”

When asked if he felt stronger, Sheehan credited the training staff. “I think so,” he said. “I was doing our program the whole time… [the training staff] wrote my program, and a lot of it was athleticism-based and speed-based.” The goal, as he put it, wasn’t to win a weight-room contest. It was about how he moves and feels once the spikes are on. “Moving well and being able to feel my best on the mound is the main focus.”

There was even a little glimpse of the non-baseball routine, the kind of thing guys do when they’re still wired to compete but trying not to be stupid about it. Sheehan talked about the viral moment from the “Dodgers Love LA” tour in which he nailed a half court shot to the appreciation of a gym full of screaming high schoolers. “I was shooting around a little bit,” he said of his preparation for nailing the shot. “I never played actual games because I didn’t want to get hurt, obviously, but I was every day pretty much shooting around to just warm up.”

When teased about being ready for a half-court shot “for half a million dollars,” and Sheehan played along: “Exactly.”

Hopefully, the 2026 season will land as sweetly as that half-court launch. Nothing but net for Emmet this season.

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