Editorials

What Does the Dodgers Rotation Look Like Following Dustin May’s Injury?

The Dodgers rotation took a huge hit on Wednesday with the loss of RHP Dustin May. The 25-year-old exited Wednesday’s game in the first inning with what was later called a flexor pronator strain. May is heading to the injured list, and will be out for a minimum of a month. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t want to speculate on the extent of how long he could be out past that first month.

The good news is, he’s getting a PRP injection, and the hope is he could return within the next six weeks. But that’s just a hope.



With May out, the Dodgers rotation is going to be missing a key contributor for an extended period of time. So, we have to reassess the rotation right now.

What Does the Dodgers Rotation Look Like Now?

With May out, rookie RHP Gavin Stone is likely to get the call-up and slot right back into the rotation. So, here’s what the rotation would look like with Stone back in the mix:

  1. Julio Urias
  2. Clayton Kershaw
  3. Tony Gonsolin
  4. Noah Syndergaard
  5. Gavin Stone

Dodgers RHP Ryan Pepiot, who’s been out since the end of spring training with an oblique injury, is expected to return sometime in June. When he returns, he’ll likely get an opportunity in the rotation.

Additionally, RHP Michael Grove should be ready in the next couple of weeks, and could make a return to the rotation at some point soon.

For the fans calling for top pitching prospect, RHP Bobby Miller, he’s not yet ready to make his MLB debut.

Could This Injury Lead to a Potential Trade?

Obviously you never want to lose one of your top-level pitchers, but the Dodgers are blessed with a ton of depth at the starting pitching position. Unfortunately, though, a lot of those depth guys are hurt right now.

When the likes of Pepiot and Grove make their way back in the next month or so, the Dodgers should have the pieces in place to withstand a longer-term injury. However, if those guys struggle when they return, or if the Dodgers rotation suffers another injury, the team may be forced into making a move before the trade deadline.

There will be tons of starting pitchers on the market, and the Dodgers could try to swing a big deal to shore up the rotation. Having a solid top-of-the-rotation is one of the most important things in the postseason, and if the injuries or struggles pile up, the Dodgers could get desperate for another ace-caliber pitcher.

For now, though, I don’t expect the Dodgers to make a move, especially if May is able to return in that four-to-six week timeline. But it will definitely be something to watch as the trade deadline approaches come July.

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Noah Camras

Noah is an Editor for Dodgers Nation. He graduated from USC in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and minor in Sports Media Studies. He's been a Dodger fan his whole life, and his all-time favorite Dodgers are Matt Kemp and Russell Martin.

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