Sheehan Delivers Scoreless Bulk Relief to Boost Dodgers’ Bullpen

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 16, 2025) - Reliever Emmet Sheehan provided 2.2 innings of hitless, scoreless relief with four strikeouts and two walks during Monday’s bulk-relief stint against the Philadelphia Phillies, helping the Dodgers preserve their lead in the late innings and maintain momentum in the NL West race.

In his first appearance since moving back into a relief role, Sheehan stepped in for the starter in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium, retiring all eight batters he faced. His performance marked a seamless transition from his usual starting duties and showcased the depth of Los Angeles’s pitching staff.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Sheehan, who logged his last outing as a starter on Sept. 9, would be tasked with bulk relief work to manage his workload and leverage his high-octane fastball late in games. The shift comes as the Dodgers aim to protect leads more reliably with their starters averaging higher pitch counts in recent weeks.

Sheehan’s outing featured four strikeouts, including two with runners in scoring position, reinforcing his ability to shut down potent lineups even outside of a traditional starting role. The right-hander’s 2.2 innings lowered his season ERA to 3.18 and bolstered his strikeout rate to 10.5 per nine innings.

His emergence as a multi-inning reliever provides manager Dave Roberts with a flexible weapon as Los Angeles navigates a tight playoff race. Dodgers beat writer Fabian Ardaya noted that Sheehan’s success in bulk relief could earn him additional high-leverage assignments down the stretch.

With the Dodgers clinging to a narrow division lead, Sheehan’s adaptability and dominant outing on Sept. 15 underscore the team’s depth and strategic bullpen deployment heading into the final weeks of the regular season.