Dodgers: MLB Insider Has High Expectations For Dustin May This Upcoming Season
The Los Angeles Dodgers were riddled with injuries from the pitching department in 2022. Some missed from time to time, others missed extended amounts of time, and two key arms Walker Buehler and Daniel Hudson missed the majority of 2022 with significant injuries.
However, good news arose in the second half of the season when LA announced that Dustin May would make his season debut, and even though he wasn’t the pitcher we expected him to be coming off Tommy John surgery, it was nice to have him back.
Dodgers and fans are excited to see what May can bring to the table this season, and MLB insider Thomas Harrigan believes that the 25-year-old will need to step up in 2023 for LA to have a chance at a World Series title.
“Dustin May, RHP, Dodgers
May has already appeared in parts of four seasons (and two playoff runs) with the Dodgers, but he’s thrown fewer than 150 career innings, in part because he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021. The lanky righty pitched to subpar results after returning last year, struggling with his control (4.2 BB/9) and posting a 4.50 ERA (94 ERA+) over 30 innings. It’s hard not to be tantalized by his stuff, however, particularly his nasty curveball and mix of high-octane fastballs. May appeared to be on his way to a breakout season before going down with his elbow injury in 2021, registering a 2.74 ERA, a 13.7 K/9 and a 2.3 BB/9 through five starts. The 25-year-old could prove to be an X-factor for a Dodgers club that lost multiple key players to free agency this offseason and remains without ace righty Walker Buehler (TJ surgery).”
May was one of eight players chosen by Harrigan that need to stay healthy in 2023. I’m sure Dodger fans can agree with that one as well.
LA’s 2016 draft choice has only pitched in 37 MLB games; however, his first “full” season did come in 2020, and he pitched throughout the Dodger championship run.
May injured his throwing arm early in the 2021 season as he could only start in five games, going 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA. Returning from TJ surgery in August 2022, May went 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts. It was evident that the 25-year-old was trying to find his groove, but now with a fully healthy offseason and key pieces leaving the organization; May will need to step his game up a notch.
We’re hoping for a great 2023 from the right-handed flame thrower, and we can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeves.
