One of the biggest surprises for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 has been the emergence of Dustin May. He was not expected to make the Opening Day roster, although wound up starting the team’s first game of the season on short notice after Clayton Kershaw went down with a back injury.
Since then, May has not relinquished his spot in the rotation, establishing himself as one of the National League Rookie of the Year candidates. Going into his start on Thursday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, May was 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA, 4.53 FIP and 1.11 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 10 walks in 40.2 innings across eight outings.
Unfortunately, May only last one inning against the Diamondbacks after being hit in the left foot by a comebacker off the bat of Josh Rojas, the first hitter he faced in the game. May was able to stay in and finish out a scoreless first inning, but after going out to warm up for the second, came out of the game.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Alanna Rizzo on SportsNet LA during the game that May had an X-ray which came back “inconclusive.” Roberts didn’t have much more information after the Dodgers’ loss.
“When we get back home we’re going to do a CT scan. We should know more then,” Roberts said. “Right now, I’m sure he’s just sore. We’ll know significantly more after the test [Friday].”
May attempted to lobby his way into the game but Roberts ultimately didn’t see much upside to leaving him in the game. “When you’re talking about a pitcher’s arm, their career, the mechanics potentially changing because you can’t get over your front side, it’s a no-brainer,” Roberts said.
The injury news is obviously unfortunate for May and the Dodgers as the right-hander has been a groove in recent weeks. It seems that he was able to avoid serious injury though, which is certainly good news with the postseason right around the corner.
Buehler hits injured list with blister
Another reason that the May injury comes at a rough time is the Dodgers just placed Walker Buehler on the 10-day injured list due to a blister.
If May is forced to miss his next start, then that would put the Dodgers down two members of their rotation. Additionally, with Tony Gonsolin pitching five innings in relief of May, that is another starter that won’t be able to pitch the next few days.
Roberts revealed that Julio Urias will start Saturday’s series opener against the Houston Astros, but it looks like they will have to call someone up for Sunday’s game or utilize the bullpen for all nine innings.
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