Dustin May pitched one scoreless inning during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 8-3 Cactus League victory over the San Diego Padres. While that statement typically doesn’t attract headlines, May’s health struggles over the last few years make his return a special occasion.
That inning was May’s first time facing Major League Baseball hitters in 648 days. After helping the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, he made five starts the following year due to an elbow injury. Eventually, he underwent Tommy John surgery due to a torn UCL.
In 2022, May pitched six games for the Dodgers. Unfortunately, his season abruptly ended due to tightness in his lower back. He underwent another elbow surgery in 2023 due to a flexor tension in his right elbow and received a Tommy John revision for his Grade 2 UCL sprain.
Incase anyone missed it….. IM BACK pic.twitter.com/2OcQuJ5kq9
— Dustin May (@d_maydabeast) February 23, 2025
Last year, he was making his way back from his surgery when he suffered a torn esophagus. That condition required immediate surgery which ended his season. These unfortunate circumstances make his return a sweet moment.
-Lance Fernandez