Los Angeles Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan sent a short—but clear—message following his disappointing start against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Sheehan lasted just 1.1 innings in his 12th start of the season, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. The right-hander navigated his way out of the first inning rather efficiently, throwing just 14 pitches in the frame. The following inning, though, Sheehan loaded the bases with just one out, then allowed a two-run single to give the visitors the lead.

He threw 35 pitches in the second inning for a total of 49, and manager Dave Roberts took him out of the game.

“Just frustrating,” Sheehan said. “Definitely couldn’t put guys away. Not efficient. Not good all around.”

Sheehan got a five-pitch strikeout to start the inning, then allowed a single on six pitches to Jo Adell. The following at-bat, Nick Madrigal drew a 14-pitch walk after Sheehan had him in a 1-2 count after three pitches. He also had the following two batters on two-strikes before they reached base.

“Just [tried] to get him out of the box as quick as I possibly can,” Sheehan said of Madrigal. “Make him put the ball in play, which, yeah, he fouled off a lot of pitches and had a really good at-bat.”

The Dodgers went on to lose the game, 13-5.

Has Sheehan Had These Struggles All Season?

Sheehan hasn’t struggled with efficiency this season, but it would be hard to call what he’s done so far in 2026 impressive.

He has had his moments, like when he posted 6.1 one-run innings against the Chicago Cubs in April, but has had a middling season so far. He has a 4.70 ERA after his early-inning collapse on Sunday, and has allowed at least one run in each of his starts so far.

His ordinarily high strikeout rate has plummeted nearly 5% from last season, and he is giving up hard contact at a rate higher than league average. That could be the cause for what has been his achilles heel this season: home runs. Sheehan has allowed 11 homers through 59.1 innings pitched this season, and a majority of the runs he’s allowed have come from the long ball.

Sheehan will hope he can improve on his poor outing in his next start, which should come against the White Sox next weekend.

Should Emmet Sheehan stay in the rotation?