The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the 2024 season expecting pitching depth to be an area of strength, even if the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May were not due to return from respective surgeries until some time in the second half.
Kershaw began a rehab assignment in June that was paused due to lingering shoulder soreness, but he resumed throwing after briefly being shut down and took the mound Saturday for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had recently said May was throwing bullpen sessions at Camelback Ranch and making steady progress in his recovery from a right flexor tendon repair and a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).
However, May now is due to miss the entire 2024 season because of esophageal surgery, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair an esophageal tear earlier this week, sources told ESPN.
May’s throat injury did not occur while completing baseball activities but is going to prevent him from being active for multiple months:
He was set to go on a rehabilitation assignment in the coming weeks, but the surgery to repair his esophagus will keep him from physical activity for the next two months, according to sources. The injury, sources said, was suffered in a non-baseball setting and required intervention after May sought medical attention for pain in his throat and stomach.
May recently got his velocity above 90 mph and projected to be a potential option out of the Dodgers bullpen come the postseason.
“I think for us right now, it’s just continue to get through the rehab process, build him up. And once we get to August, see where he’s at. Once he gets to September, see where he’s at, see a need,” Roberts said earlier this year when asked about May’s outlook for this season.
“So I think that just continue to get through that process and build him up and see where we’re at that point in time of the year. But the other day, the bullpen, certainly positive.”
Dustin May’s stats
The 26-year-old went 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 3.23 FIP and 0.94 WHIP in 48 innings pitched last year prior to undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.
Over parts of five seasons with the Dodgers, May is 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA, 3.76 FIP and 1.05 WHIP in 46 games (34 starts).
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
