Dodgers Don't Have Answer for Key Pitcher's Sudden Velocity Drop

The Los Angeles Dodgers don't currently know why Emmet Sheehan's velocity dropped during his first two starts of 2026.

The right-hander made his season debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Weekend. Sheehan's fastball velocity averaged 95.5 mph in the first inning, which basically matched his average from last year when he returned from Tommy John surgery.

Sheehan struck out the side in the first frame, but his second inning didn't go as smooth as his velocity began to drop with it falling to 93.7 mph. The right-hander's drop in velocity resulted in an RBI double to Alek Thomas and a home run by Ketel Marte in the third.

By the fourth and final inning of the night for Sheehan, his fastball averaged 92.8 mph. Perhaps even more striking is the 10 pitches he threw that were slower than 94 mph. The right-hander only had 44 fastballs slower than 94 mph throughout the entire 2025 season.

“We’re still digging into that,” manager Dave Roberts said after the game. “Don’t have an answer.”

Sheehan had a potential idea as to why his fastball velocity suddenly dropped.

“I think it’s just [that] my delivery is a little bit off,” Sheehan said. ‘But we’re working hard on it, so it’s going to get right. I know it will.”

If you watch Sheehan pitch, his elbow drops right before he releases the ball. This could perhaps be what right-hander was talking about when discussed tweaking his delivery.

The Dodgers had seen a similar velocity trend this spring.

Sheehan saw a dip in velocity in camp, where he allowed seven earned runs across 10.2 innings pitched in Cactus League.

The 26-year-old made his second start of the season against the Washington Nationals Friday.

Sheehan was shaky at the start, but eventually found his stride deeper in the outing. He tossed 5.2 innings, allowing four runs and three walks. He recorded two strikeouts, using the slider and curveball more so than his fastball.

His fastball velocity was worse than it was against Arizona as it averaged just 93.8 mph. Despite the decreasing velocity with his fastball, Sheehan limited the damage after an early home run and got up to 98 pitches.

Following the Dodgers' 13-6 victory over the Nationals, Sheehan spoke to reporters about his performance. Thankfully, there wasn't too much pressure on Sheehan after the Dodgers offense roared back after Washington's early 3-0 lead.

"Being a little quicker through my delivery, trying to get my rhythm back," Sheehan said after his second start of 2026.

The Dodgers still don't have an answer regarding Sheehan's decreasing velocity, but the right-hander pointed out mechanical issues playing a factor.

"Yeah, that's what we're trying to fix," Sheehan said.

The Dodgers have a plethora of starting pitching talent, both on the injured list and in the minor leagues. Sheehan will need to find a solution for his fastball velocity sooner rather than later — or at least find better results on the field without it.