Dodgers News: Roberts Not Too Concerned About Dustin May’s Performance Yet

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]On Friday night, Dustin May made his fourth start since coming off the long road back from reconstructive elbow surgery. The Dodgers right hander was fine over his first two outings where he allowed just 2 earned runs over 11 innings pitched.

But things have been much worse since.

Over his last two starts — both against the Padres — D May has been lit up. On September 2nd he allowed a career-high 6 earned runs over 5 innings. And last night he served up 3 earned over 5. Put those together and you’re looking at an 8.10 ERA and some interesting questions for Dave Roberts and the Dodgers.

The manager shared his thoughts on Dustin’s recent struggles after last night’s outing. Certainly, Doc is not overly concerned yet as his young starting pitcher builds back up from 2021 Tommy John surgery.

“Like I said from the get-go, a guy coming off Tommy John to expect him to hit the ground running is a bit unfair. We have time to continue to get him to harness that command.”

Command has been the biggest issue by far for May up to this point. While some might point to some bad luck with some defensive miscues, the right-hander has issued 8 (!) free passes over his last 10 innings. He’s also hit 3 batters and served up 3 home runs.

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So, for Roberts, he’s exercising patience for May.

“This is a person who’s gone from rehab mode to [being] in the middle of a pennant race. … Everything is going to be magnified. So I do believe the command, the pitch-making — certainly the compete is in there which we love and the weapons are there.”

If May and the Dodgers continue on an every fifth day schedule, the hurler should be able to get four more starts under his belt before the end of the regular season. By then, the team should know more about the status of Tony Gonsolin and his injury, and have a better idea of what they’ll need out of May for the postseason. Best case scenario, he’s the team’s third or fourth starter. But a bullpen swingman role is absolutely on the table.

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