The Los Angeles Dodgers are managing Shohei Ohtani's physical struggles while recalling Emmet Sheehan to the starting rotation. This comes as Freddie Freeman finally broke a long home run drought during the final month of the 2026 season.
Why Brandon Gomes is avoiding an IL stint for Shohei Ohtani
The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently navigating a delicate health situation with Shohei Ohtani, who is dealing with issues in his left knee and right biceps. Despite a recent 6-for-46 slump that manager Dave Roberts admitted made the superstar appar "off," the organization has declined to place Ohtani on the injured list. According to the report, General Manager Brandon Gomes stated that medical evaluations do not currently justify an IL stint.
The decision to keep Shohei Ohtani active is partly driven by the unpredictability of a shutdown. as reported, Brandon Gomes emphasized that the team cannot guarantee a specific recovery timeline if Ohtani were to be removed from the active roster. Consequently, the Los Angeles Dodgers are monitoring Ohtani on a day-by-day basis, prioritizing his presence on the field over a structured medical hiatus.
Emmet Sheehan's PCL dominance and the void left by Eric Lauer
Pitching depth has become a critical concern for the Los Angeles Dodgers following an elbow injury to left-hander Eric Lauer. To fill this gap, the team has recalled 26-year-old Emmet Sheehan from Triple-A Oklahoma City. While Sheehan struggled in his first 20 MLB starts of the season with a 5.29 ERA, his recent form in the minors has been dominant, earning him the title of Pacific Coast League pitcher of the month after allowing only one run in his last three starts.
The return of Emmet Sheehan is a strategic necessity given the current state of the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation. With Justin Wrobleski shifted to the bullpen and other arms unavailable, Sheehan represents the most viable path to stability. If Sheehan can maintain his Triple-A momentum through September, he is likely to secure a postseason role as a multi-inning relief option, mirroring his usage from October of last year.
Freddie Freeman's 47-game home run drought ends
On the offensive side, the Los Angeles Dodgers received a timely boost from veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman. Freeman recently hit an opposite-field home run at Dodger Stadium, ending a career-long drought that spanned 47 games. This marked his first home run since July 4, providing a spark to a lineup that has seen several other hitters struggle.
Despite the lack of power, Freddie Freeman remained a consistent force during the dry spell, batting .315—the seventh-highest average in the majors during that period. While Freeman has expressed satisfaction with his ability to get on base and move runners, the Los Angeles Dodgers will likely require more extra-base production from him to ensure a deep run in the upcoming playoffs.
Tyler Glasnow's 2.45 ERA as a postseason anchor
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finding stability in Tyler Glasnow, who has emerged as a reliable cornerstone for the rotation. In a recent outing, Glasnow threw seven innings of one-run ball with six sttrikeouts, improving his personal record to 4-0 and lowering his ERA to 2.45. This performance provides the team with a high-ceiling arm to lean on as they enter the final stretch of the regular season.
Glasnow's efficiency is a vital counterweight to the volatility of the rest of the staff . In a season defined by injury management, having a pitcher with a 2.45 ERA allows the Los Angeles Dodgers to be more flexible with how they deploy arms like Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski during the high-pressure environment of October baseball.
The uncertainty surrounding Roki Sasaki and Gavin Stone's return
Despite the recall of Emmet Sheehan, several critical questions remain regarding the Los Angeles Dodgers' full pitching strength. Roki Sasaki remains on the injured list, and right-hander Gavin Stone is still recovering from two years of shoulder trouble at the Triple-A level.. It remains unclear if either player will be healthy enough to contribute meaningfully to the postseason roster.
The report focuses heavily on the team's current internal moves, but it leaves open whether the Los Angeles Dodgers will seek further external reinforcements. With the rotation currently relying on a mixture of returning minor leaguers and a few healthy stars, the margin for error is slim if another primary starter suffers a setback before the playoffs begin.
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