For 25-year-old right-hander Dustin May, 2022 saw the budding Los Angeles Dodgers ace return to the mound for the first time in well over a year since being sidelined by Tommy John surgery in 2021.
May, who first gained notoriety through a solid campaign in the 2020 shortened season by delivering a 2.57 ERA across 12 games (10 starts), went 2-3 with a 4.50 era in six starts once back on the mound in 2022.
Throwing 30 innings to a tune of a 1.17 WHIP between the months of August and September, May seemingly had his ups and downs upon returning, and was ultimately shut down for the season in late year with lower back tightness.
There was some concern May would be out for the remainder of the year but he recovered in time for the postseason. May was included on the Dodgers playoff roster for the National League Division Series, but he was not utilized in any of the four games.
Dustin May 2022 highlight
Despite only making six starts in 2022, May dazzled in two standout outings against the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants.
Delivering five innings of scoreless baseball while allowing just one hit and striking out nine, May returned to the Dodger Stadium mound in a big way as he dominated the Marlins in his first start since May of 2021, helping wheel L.A. to a 7-0 victory.
Just a few weeks later on the road against San Francisco, May cruised through five innings of no-hit ball on the road mound, as the lone Giants baserunner to reach against him was on a second-inning walk to Brandon Crawford.
2023 outlook
Seemingly fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and ready for the 2023 season, the right-handed fireballer is anticipated to be in consideration as a backend of the rotation starter this year.
While we have yet to see a full season from May at the Major League level since his MLB debut in 2019, if the 2020 season of allowing just 16 earned runs across 56 innings of work is any indication, he is primed to be a consistently viable arm for the Dodgers, should he be able to deliver between 25 to 30 starts.
However, it’s plausible — if not likely — the Dodgers will be cautious in easing May through his first full season back from Tommy John.
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
