Dodgers News: LA May Be Altering Course with Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone in Minor Leagues

The Dodgers have used different strategies all season to get by with their pitching situation. They have been forced to rely on multiple rookies throughout the year due to injuries and inconsistencies from the staff.

It has been bittersweet for the most part because they have been able to see what they have in some of their young arms. But it also is a cause for concern as well.

Two of the younger pitchers who have contributed this season are Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone. Both have their own set of skills that the Dodgers like, and they both could be playing a role down the stretch of the season when the rosters expand.

As the season winds down, LA is going to try to give their guys some extra rest. Even if it’s in the form of an extra day of in-between starts. With the lead they have in the NL West right now, it’s a luxury that the Dodgers seem to have.

With that, comes the idea of an opener for certain games. And recently, the Dodgers have started to use both Sheehan and Stone in that role down in Triple-A.

"Both Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone have pitched with an ‘opener’ in their most recent outings for OKC, perhaps a signal of how the Dodgers plan to use them down the stretch. The Dodgers have no starting pitcher listed for Sunday’s game at this point."

Per The OC Register

LA could easily take one or both of the young pitchers and use them as openers down the line. They could help eat some innings over the last month of the season and get reps in the big leagues doing so.

On the year, Sheehan is 3-1 with an ERA of 5.63 with the Dodgers. He started off extremely hot in the big leagues, but hitters adjusted as time went on.

As for Stone, he holds a 12.75 ERA during his time with LA this season. Things didn't exactly go the way that he planned, but the team still is very high on his skill set.

Both pitchers could end up making a difference toward the end of the season. And what they do here could really help their case for a potential playoff roster spot or a chance to make the roster next year.