The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Spring Training with plenty of projected starting pitching depth for the 2025 season, but not yet being in position to fully benefit from a talented staff.
While the likes of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Bobby Miller were activate participants since camp opened last month, Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw aren’t pitching options until multiple months into the regular season.
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki locks for the Opening Day rotation, it left Gonsolin, May and Miller competing for the fifth spot.
During an appearance on “Dodgers Territory” with Alanna Rizzo and Clint Pasillas, manager Dave Roberts indicated May has been named the fifth starter over Gonsolin, who is dealing with a minor back injury:
“Dustin May is back. Big Red is back, which is great. Tony Gonsoln had a little hiccup with his back lifting weights, but he’ll be back. … As far as the fifth starter, I think it’s Dustin. He’s obviously pitched well, getting back. Tony with the little hiccup, not being built up, I think Dustin makes a lot of sense.”
Roberts previously commended the trio of young right-handers for how they were handling the competition to earn the final spot in the Dodgers’ rotation. That seemingly was whittled down to a battle between Gonsolin and May when Miller was struck in the head by a line-drive comebacker.
Miller avoided serious injury but went into concussion protocol and has yet to appear in another Cactus League game. Miller is expected to begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Meanwhile, it’s likely Gonsolin starts the season on the 15-day injured list in order to recover from his back issue. Prior to the injury there was some belief Gonsolin held the inside track over May to earn the nod in rounding out the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
Dustin May had starting preference
When recently asked about his potential fit on the Dodgers roster, May acknowledged his preference was to remain a starter with the team but he ultimately would embrace any role.
May last pitched in a Major League game May 17, 2023. He was on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment last year after recovering from a second right elbow surgery but required emergency esophageal surgery because of damage caused by a piece of lettuce that got lodged in his throat.
“I mean, [expletive], I hope so. I don’t know what else I need to do, but I really, really hope it’s just pitching from now on,” May answered earlier this spring when asked if expects to be able to keep his focus on the field.
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