The Los Angeles Dodgers figure to rely on several top prospects and young players this year, including Dustin May, who is entering his first full season after Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander didn’t make his 2022 debut until late August, but it was a gem as he held the Miami Marlins to only one hit over five scoreless innings. May then found success in another outing against the Marlins before struggling in back-to-back starts against the San Diego Padres.
May additionally faced challenges in his final appearance of the year against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and didn’t pitch again after that Sept. 21 game due to back tightness/an oblique issue.
With Spring Training workouts now underway at Camelback Ranch, May revealed that he is fully recovered from last season’s injuries, via SportsNet LA:
“I’m feeling great. Coming off of last injury, had the back injury at the end of the year, just glad to be health. I was healthy in the playoffs but didn’t get a chance to throw. Just glad to be healthy coming into spring.”
As May noted, he was healthy enough to be included on the Dodgers’ postseason roster for the National League Division Series, but did not appear in any of the four games.
While the Dodgers presumably will be cautious with May this season, he is in line to take on a larger role in the starting rotation following the departures of Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney in free agency. Furthermore, Walker Buehler likely won’t pitch until late in the 2023 season, if at all this year.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged some limitations on May’s workload will be in place, but the team will be flexible.
Dustin May 2022 stats
May made six starts for the Dodgers last season and went 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 4.38 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in 30 innings pitched.
The 25-year-old was among the eligible players for salary arbitration during the offseason, and he avoided the process by agreeing to a $1.675 million salary for the 2023 season.
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