With Major League Baseball transitioning back to a 162-game schedule this season, pitching depth will be more important than ever before. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, they have seven strong options to fill their starting rotation.
The staff will be led by a trio of aces in Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Trevor Bauer, with the returning David Price expected to follow them. As for the final spot, Julio Urias is believed to have the upper hand over Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.
May, however, will do everything he can during Spring Training to make the Dodgers’ decision that much more difficult. “At this point in the year I’ve got to go out and do everything that I can,” May said.
“I’m fighting for a spot. We’ve got seven guys to fill five roles. I’ve got to go out and do everything that I can to get one of them. That’s my goal: to be on the Opening Day roster as a starter. So I’ve got to do everything in my power to go out there and achieve it.”
Over the first two seasons of his young career, May has filled a hybrid role for the Dodgers, splitting his opportunities in the starting rotation and bullpen.
Of his 12 regular-season appearances last year, 10 came as a starter. However, he took on more of a relief role come playoff time, making just three starts in comparison to four appearances out of the bullpen.
As for what he is focused on in Spring Training, May mentioned tweaking his mechanics and building off a strong close to the 2020 season. “For me, probably just honing in on everything,” he said.
“Getting it crisp again and back to where I was at the end of the year. Just trying to figure out some mechanical cues I worked on at the end of the year to get me going in the right direction.”
May doesn’t view potential bullpen role as demotion
Even if May is unable to crack the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation, he does not view a potential move to the bullpen as a demotion. “I mean, I’m going to be ready for whatever role they put me in,” he said.
“Whether it be starting or relieving. I’m excited. It doesn’t really matter what role I’m in as long as I’m up and helping the club win ballgames.”
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