Friday is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to players who are eligible for salary arbitration next season, which for the Los Angeles Dodgers amounts to eight such cases.
The group would’ve included Connor Brogdon, who elected free agency after being outrighted off the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Thus, the group of Dodgers arbitration players for 2025 consists of Anthony Banda, Connor Brogdon, Tony Gosnolin, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Kopech, Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers and May agreed to terms on a one-year contract for next season:
The Dodgers and Dustin May settled at $2.135 million to avoid arbitration, sources tell The Athletic.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 22, 2024
May’s salary for the 2025 season matches the $2.135 million projection by MLB Trade Rumors. The right-hander was arbitration-eligible for the third time in his career.
May was poised to take on a larger role in 2023 but required season-ending elbow surgery. That entailed a repair of May’s right flexor tendon in addition to an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction revision from a previous Tommy John operation.
May had been on track to return during the second half of the 2024 season but required esophageal surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the year.
By agreeing to a one-year contract, May is on track to become a free agent after the 2025 season.
Dustin May’s outlook
After spending the offseason recovering from surgery on his esophagus and being further removed from the second right elbow operation, the 27-year-old should be among the Dodgers pitchers available come Opening Day of the 2025 season.
However, considering he hasn’t pitched May 17, 2023, it’s possible — if not likely — May begins the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City and also spends the 2025 season under an innings limit. That could amount to May filling a role out of the bullpen, which some have suggested is a likely career path anyhow.
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