After missing nearly two years while recovering from multiple injuries and surgeries, Dustin May is among the pitchers competing for the final spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation.
The right-hander was on track to return during the second half of the 2024 season but his outlook changed due to needing emergency esophageal surgery. He otherwise has been out since May 2023 because of a flexor tendon and Tommy John revision surgery.
May is once again ready to contribute and will make his 2025 Dodgers Spring Training debut on Sunday against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch.
Manager Dave Roberts said the team will be mindful, but not overly protective when managing May’s workload this spring.
“It’s been five years of Major League service that he’s spent a lot of time not participating,” Roberts said of May. “That’s been a frustrating road, but he is 100% healthy right now. He’s had success at the big league level, and I do feel this year is going to be his best year. I think there’s a lot of excitement to be a full participant.”
May went 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 3.23 FIP and 0.94 WHIP across nine starts during his last big league season in 2023. The 27-year-old has not pitched more than 56 innings in any of his five MLB campaigns.
Because May has already accrued more than five years of Major League service time, the Dodgers cannot option him to the Minors without his consent. If May doesn’t win the competition for the final rotation spot, he could potentially begin the year in the bullpen.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
2B: Tommy Edman
DH: Michael Conforto
1B: Kiké Hernández
C: Austin Barnes
3B: Miguel Rojas
LF: Chris Taylor
CF: Andy Pages
RF: Zyhir Hope
P: Dustin May
Padres lineup
2B: Tyler Wade
LF: Connor Joe
1B: Gavin Sheets
DH: Oscar Gonzalez
3B: Mike Brosseau
SS: Leodalis De Vries
C: Ethan Salas
RF: Yonathan Perlaza
CF: Forrest Wall
P: Braden Nett
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