Dodgers recall Sheehan to face Giants, put Skubal on bereavement, hope to have Ohtani back soon

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled pitcher Emmet Sheehan as part of a series of roster moves Sunday, with the right-hander handling the bulk of their 3-1 win in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants.

All four transactions involved Dodgers pitchers. They also recalled Kyle Hurt, placed Tarik Skubal on the bereavement list and optioned Seth Halvorsen to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Jack Dreyer started before giving way to Sheehan as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of their rivals. Sheehan made a strong case to be on the postseason roster by throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine.

“When you’re essentially fighting for your life to create an opportunity for yourself, that’s what I see,” manager Dave Roberts said. “There’s urgency, and so I like the way that he’s trusting his stuff.”

The Dodgers’ strong collection of starters will leave Sheehan and Roki Sasaki having to find different ways to contribute in the playoffs.

Roberts said Sasaki will start working out of the bullpen during the upcoming three-game series against the San Diego Padres that starts Tuesday night to prep for his transition. Sasaki appeared in nine games as a reliever last fall, posting a 0.84 ERA in 10 2/3 innings to help the Dodgers win their second straight World Series.

Sheehan, who is 5-8 with a 4.57 ERA in 23 games this season, will be optioned back to Triple-A when Skubal returns.

Right fielder Kyle Tucker wasn’t in the starting lineup after coming out of Saturday’s 10-4 victory because of a fouled pitch that went off his right knee. The early exit was described as precautionary, and Roberts said before the game it was worth giving him a day off, particularly with Tucker finding his stride after an erratic first season in Los Angeles. Tucker ended up being used as a pinch hitter with two on in the ninth inning, with his fly ball being caught for the second out.

The Dodgers expect to see Shohei Ohtani back soon after his first stint on the injured list since joining the team in 2024. It could come against the Padres. “Still up in the air, but that’s our hope,” Roberts said.

Ohtani is on the 15-day IL with right biceps inflammation. He also has been dealing with left knee soreness for months.

Roberts believes Ohtani will be pain-free going into the last week of the regular season, with the Dodgers pushing to secure a bye to avoid the wild-card round.

“I think there’s a difference between discomfort and pain,” Roberts said. “Is it 100%? Probably not. Is it better than it was a week ago? Yes. Honestly, I think that’s just a better question for Shohei to give specifics. But I do think that when he’s activated, it’s going to be the best physical place he’s been in in quite some time.”

The Dodgers will also get All-Star center fielder Andy Pages back on Tuesday after he fractured his left hand when he was hit by a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 21.

Roberts is feeling good about where his club is at as they prepare to chase history. No National League club has ever won three consecutive World Series crowns.

“Things are starting to come together,” Roberts said.

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