Dustin May is set to make his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing nearly two years due to various injuries.
May has undergone multiple major surgeries over the past two years. He first had Tommy John revision surgery in the middle of the 2023 season. When he was close to returning in 2024, May required emergency surgery for an esophageal tear that kept him out for the entire year.
Injuries have been a persistent issue for May throughout his career. Since making his MLB debut late in 2019, the pandemic-shortened 2020 season remains the only one he has completed without injury.
In addition to operations in 2023 and 2024, May also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 and dealt with lower back tightness after returning in 2022, which ultimately ended his season.
Now healthy, May is competing for the fifth spot in the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation.
While his focus is earning that job, he is open to pitching in whatever role the Dodgers need, via SportsNet LA:
“I’m willing to do whatever for the team. I would definitely prefer to start, but whatever is going to keep me healthy in the big leagues and being able to just log innings, because I haven’t been able to do that in the past, I will be open to doing that.”
May is competing for the final rotation spot with Tony Gonsolin as the Dodgers prepare to utilize a five-man rotation until Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound. Gonsolin appears to be the favorite, but May has shown top-of-the-rotation ability when at his best.
Both will make the Dodgers’ roster for the Tokyo Series regardless of role, and even if one starts the season in the bullpen, there is a strong chance they will end up in the rotation at some point.
The 27-year-old would benefit more from a rotation spot as he is set to become a free agent after the season. However, excelling as a high-end reliever could also position May for a lucrative contract.
Dustin May career stats
Over his career, May has yet to pitch more than 56 innings in a season, with that career-high mark coming in 2020. In his limited sample of 191.2 innings, he has pitched to a 3.10 ERA with a 22.5% strikeout rate and a 7.4% walk rate.
Before his Tommy John surgery in 2021, May was showing signs of meeting the lofty expectations placed on him as a former top prospect, posting a 2.74 ERA and a 37.6% strikeout rate in 23 innings.
The right-hander was also productive in 2023, recording a 2.63 ERA in 48 innings, though his strikeout numbers declined significantly.
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