The competition for the fifth spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation was the most prominent camp battle during Spring Training. And at the beginning of this week, Dustin May was named the Dodgers’ fifth starter for Opening Day.
What initially began as a three-way competition between May, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller, ended becoming somewhat of a battle of attrition. May flashed some of his intriguing potential but also was the only healthy option.
Miller was struck in the head by a comebacker in his first Cactus League appearance, which prevented him from pitching in another game as he progressed through concussion protocol. Gonsolin was very effective in limited Cactus League appearances, but tweaking his back while weight lifting resulted in the Dodgers planning to place him on the 15-day injured list.
While opening the season in the Minors on a pseudo-rehab assignment could have been beneficial after nearly two full seasons missed because of injuries, May has been given the opportunity to re-establish himself in the Majors.
Despite undergoing a second major surgery to his throwing arm in 2023, May isn’t feeling apprehensive about the health of his elbow heading into this season. In fact, throwing has felt good ever since undergoing the procedure to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow compared to his first Tommy John surgery.
“Completely different. Through the first one, I never felt right. It never felt like I was in a good spot,” May recalled. “After I got the second one, well it wasn’t really a second one, but a flexor tendon, haven’t had a painful day of throwing since then.
“I was very close to getting back when I tore my esophagus. I was in a really, really great spot. It really sucked when that happened, but I’m back to where I was then. I’m happy.”
While the procedure to repair a torn esophagus toward last season delayed his return, May is now back with the opportunity to help the Dodgers win another World Series and cement himself at the Major League level.
May showed flashes of his old self during Spring Training that could have won him the job outright. He finished the spring on a high note, with a three-strikeout performance across three scoreless innings.
Dustin May stayed at Camelback Ranch
While the Dodgers traveled to Japan this week in preparation for the Tokyo Series, May remained in Arizona to maintain his normal routine as he gets ready for the regular season.
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