The hits continue to come in from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ throwing depth.
A day after placing Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list with shoulder pain, the team announced that fellow starter Dustin May will undergo surgery on his right elbow to repair his flexor tendon. The procedure, performed by surgeon Neal ElAttrache, will almost certainly end the May season.
May hit IL first in May due to what team called pronator flexor strain. Apparently the problem was worse than previously thought.
While May wasn’t actively playing for the Dodgers, the prospect of his return in the second half of the season was a big reason to be optimistic about their chances of winning National League West and more. In nine starts this year, May has posted a 2.63 ERA, .938 WHIP, 34 strikeouts and 16 walks in 48 innings.
Injuries have been a significant issue for the flamethrower right-hander as he missed much of the 2021 and 2022 seasons following Tommy John’s surgery to repair UCL in his right elbow. Now his elbow goes under the knife again.
Beyond May and Kershaw, the Dodgers are awaiting the returns of Walker Buehler from his second Tommy John surgery, Ryan Pepiot from an oblique stump and Noah Syndergaard from a blister, although the latter’s form earlier this season ( a 7.16 ERA) be set low expectations. Julio Urías recently returned from a hamstring injury.
With a rotation currently including Urías, Tony Gonsolin and the rookie triumvirate of Bobby Miller, Emmett Sheehan and Gavin Stone, don’t be surprised to see the Dodgers jump in at the MLB trade deadline.