The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Dustin May on the 15-day injured list due to lower back tightness and recalled Andre Jackson from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
It marks May’s second time on the IL this season, as he began the year inactive while still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was activated off the 60-day IL on Aug. 20 and made six starts prior to the roster move that will prevent him from returning during the 2022 regular season.
May last pitched on Wednesday, which makes Sept. 22 the earliest point the Dodgers could backdate his latest IL stint. Thus, May would not be eligible to return until Thursday, Oct. 6 — or one day after the Dodgers’ final game of the regular season.
Shortly after returning from Tommy John surgery, May experienced right arm soreness that required the Dodgers to provide him with extra rest between starts and implement a pitch count during an outing against the San Francisco Giants.
He then took the mound on regular rest this week, but labored through four innings en route to allowing five runs. “It was just they hit the stuff that I threw in the zone and I threw a lot of balls in bad counts,” May said after facing the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Set myself up for failure, walking guys and giving up weak contact. It was just overall bad. I’m to a point now where I feel comfortable with everything. I just need to go out and execute. It’s not really a thing with Tommy John anymore. I need to go out and throw strikes.”
As for Jackson, he returns four days after getting optioned in order to make room on the roster for Tyler Anderson’s return from the paternity list. Jackson has appeared in two games for the Dodgers this season, with both coming out of the bullpen.
It’s plausible he will get an opportunity to start before the regular season winds to a close.
Will Dustin May pitch in playoffs?
Even with going on the injured list, Dustin May is eligible to be included on the Dodgers postseason roster.
Of course, whether that comes to be is dependent on health, and presumably if the right-hander is able to successfully pitch in a simulated scenario before Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
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!
