Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May will miss the rest of the 2024 season following surgery to repair a torn esophagus, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. May has been sidelined this season as he recovered from surgery last year on his right arm.
May was set to start rehabilitation assignments soon, but the recent surgery will keep him from physical activity for the next two months. The esophageal tear occurred outside of baseball, as reported by Passan.
During the previous season, May had 34 strikeouts with a 2.63 ERA and a career-best 0.94 WHIP in nine games. His most successful season was in 2020, where he achieved 44 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA in 12 games, including two appearances in the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Following his impressive 2020 season, May faced multiple injuries, including a torn elbow ligament that required Tommy John surgery in 2021. This limited his play to just 11 games over the next two seasons. He then had surgery on his flexor in 2023, playing only nine games.
The news of May’s season-ending surgery adds to the Dodgers’ list of injured players in both the rotation and bullpen. Starters like Yamamoto, Buehler, Kershaw, and Sheehan, along with relievers Graterol, Kelly, and Brasier, are currently on the injured list. Starter Tyler Glasnow was recently put on the 15-day IL but is expected to return soon.
The Dodgers will have to rely on their remaining pitchers to step up in the absence of May and other injured players to maintain their competitive edge in the 2024 season. The team’s depth and resilience will be tested as they navigate through a challenging period with multiple key players sidelined.