Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May continues to face difficulties in his comeback after a series of injuries, including flexor tendon surgery in July 2023 and a torn esophagus that sidelined him for the remainder of 2024. As May works to regain his form, his recent performances have shown signs of struggle, reflecting ongoing challenges in his pitching effectiveness.
Since returning to the Dodgers’ rotation, May has posted a 4.68 ERA and an identical 4.68 FIP, accumulating 75 strikeouts and 35 walks over 82 and two-thirds innings. These numbers fall short of the promising output he had earlier in his career. During his latest start at Kauffman Stadium against the Kansas City Royals, May pitched four innings, allowing six hits, four earned runs, and one home run while striking out three and walking three, despite the Dodgers securing a narrow 5-4 victory.
After the game, May openly acknowledged his frustration with his performance, stating,
“It sucks that I had to go out and suck, but it’s a good thing our guys can score some runs.”
—Dustin May, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Despite these setbacks, May’s youth and talent remain promising. At 27, he still has time to develop into a dominant force on the mound. However, his fastball velocity has declined from a peak of 98 mph to around 94.4 mph this season, which may suggest lasting effects from his injuries. Additionally, May has increased his reliance on his sweeping curveball, throwing it about 42% of the time, a notable shift in his pitching approach.
Fans and analysts alike hope that May can recapture the form he showed in his 2020 campaign, when he finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting, boasting a 2.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts to 16 walks across 56 innings. This period marked his emergence as a key contributor for the Dodgers, highlighting the potential he still holds within the team’s pitching staff.
Moving forward, the Dodgers will continue to support May as he navigates this challenging phase, aiming to reclaim his role as a vital asset on the mound. His ability to adapt and overcome will be critical for both his career trajectory and the Dodgers’ ambitions in the seasons ahead.