Dodgers take another blow with Dustin May out for season

Mar 14, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching staff has been battered and bruised all season. Things just got worse with the latest news on starting pitcher Dustin May.

The hard-throwing right-hander has been ruled out for the rest of the 2023 MLB season. The Dodgers announced that he’ll undergo surgery to repair a tendon in his elbow. The procedure is slated to take place on July 18.

Dustin May will undergo right elbow surgery to repair the flexor tendon on July 18 in Los Angeles. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 5, 2023

The news marks the second major elbow injury for May over the span of 26 months. The Dodgers starter had Tommy John surgery on the same elbow in May of 2021. He was able to return toward the tail end of the 2022 season.

May was having a stellar start to the 2023 season before it was cut short by injury. He held an ERA of 2.68 over eight starts, allowing more than two earned runs just once in that span. He pitched one scoreless inning in a May 17 start against the Minnesota Twins before leaving the contest due to elbow soreness and an evident decrease in velocity. May has yet to pitch since.

The news continues a troubling trend for the Dodgers, who just can’t seem to keep most of their starting rotation healthy. Walker Buehler has yet to pitch this season as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias have also been in and out of the rotation due to nagging injuries.

The Dodgers are going to need some injury luck on their side if they hope to make noise come October.