The hits continue to come in from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ throwing depth.
A day after placing ace Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list with shoulder pain, the team announced that starting pitcher 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 first hit IL in May with what the 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 with Tommy John surgery to repair UCL in his right elbow. Now his elbow goes under the knife again.
Beyond May and Kershaw, the Dodgers are still awaiting the return of Walker Buehler from his second Tommy John operation, Ryan Pepiot from an oblique stump and Noah Syndergaard from a blister, although the latter’s form earlier this season (an ERA of 7.16) has low expectations. Julio Urías also recently returned from a hamstring injury.
With the 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 kick off at the August 1 trade deadline.