The Dodgers are currently without two of their top young pitchers to start the season. Bobby Miller, 25, was placed on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation. Emmet Sheehan, 24, will be out longer after he was placed on the 60-day IL with forearm inflammation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an update on both players according to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register.
“Roberts said Bobby Miller (shoulder) will start playing catch “sometime this weekend.” And Emmett Sheehan (forearm) will do the same at some point next week.”
Miller could make a return to the mound fairly soon. The longer the Dodgers shut him down, the longer he would need to ramp back up. As of writing this, Miller has gone six days without throwing.
Sheehan is still a ways away from returning to a major league mound. He’s starting from scratch in terms of his rehab.
He will need a full ramp-up process. This will include long toss, facing hitters and then some number of minor league rehab starts.
The Dodgers have several quality pitchers that should make a return this year along with Miller and Sheehan. Walker Buehler is on the cusp of making his major league return and will have another rehab start on Wednesday, after which, the Dodgers will decide on his return.
Franchise icon Clayton Kershaw should also return at some point this year. The club does not want to rush him back, so expect him back later this summer.
Finally, there’s a possibility that Dustin May will make an appearance this year. However, he’s also coming back from a second major elbow surgery, so they will handle him with the utmost care.