In his first Major League start since May 17, 2023, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May was simply grateful to be back on the mound.
However, MLB analyst Jon Conahan of Athlon Sports believes May might be pitching for a different team before the 2025 season concludes.
After nearly two years recovering from a torn flexor tendon—and a bizarre near-death experience involving salad—May returned to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday with an impressive performance. Over five innings, he allowed just one hit and an unearned run while striking out six and walking three, helping Los Angeles secure a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
For May, however, the most important thing wasn’t his stat line but the opportunity to pitch again.
“Even if it went badly, I still would have been enjoying myself just being back on a big-league mound,” May said. “It meant the world to me because, eight months ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get this chance again.”
Dustin May Shines in Return to the Mound
May’s strong outing followed a promising spring, where he surrendered four hits and four runs over 10 innings while striking out 12 and walking six. Despite his encouraging start, though, he could find himself squeezed out of the Dodgers’ rotation due to their incredible pitching depth.
Once a highly touted prospect, May has battled injuries throughout his young career. He currently occupies a back-end rotation spot behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow. With Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw set to return, along with top prospects Justin Wrobleski and Ben Casparius waiting in the wings, the Dodgers may face a tough decision regarding May’s future.
Conahan speculated that a trade to the pitching-needy New York Yankees could be a logical move.
“The Dodgers have the best pitching staff in Major League Baseball, and while May is incredibly talented, a trade could benefit both him and the team,” Conahan wrote. “Many teams would be eager to acquire a 27-year-old with his skill set, including the Yankees, who are desperate for pitching help.”