by Megan Garcia
Dustin May is ready to pitch underneath the Dodger Stadium lights.
He hasn’t pitched in a Major League stadium in nearly two years. But his return to the big league mound on Tuesday against the Angels was a bookend to an unexpected journey from a second major elbow surgery and an esophageal tear.
“There (were) a lot of emotions going through the head, (but) not as many as my first outing back (in Spring Training),” May said. “Definitely looking forward to my next one at Dodger Stadium. That one’s going to hit home a little more.”
May pitched five innings, gave up one hit, allowed one earned run, struck out six and walked two. He threw 68 pitches and landed 43 strikes. The Dodgers won 4–1 in the final exhibition game of the Freeway Series.
The right-hander’s promising results from the spring earned him a spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
His first start of the season — and his first since May 17, 2023 — will be against the Braves on April 1 at Dodger Stadium.
“It’s been a while since he pitched in a big league stadium, so really good to see him control his emotions,” said manager Dave Roberts. “I thought the sinker was really good, had a lot of life to it.”
May was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain on May 18, 2023, after he pitched one inning the day before. Exactly three months later, the right-hander underwent his second major elbow surgery.
Then, last July, May underwent emergency surgery due to an esophageal tear he sustained while eating dinner. He was in Glendale, Arizona at the time, rehabbing at Camelback Ranch for his return from Tommy John.
The incident was life-changing. May’s comeback from it has reshaped him.
The Texas native used to display fiery emotions when he pitched in games. He has maintained a mostly calm demeanor this spring.
But his passion hasn’t subsided.
“I still have that spark inside me, for sure,” May said. “It’s starting to wake up again as I’m starting to get back into games a little bit more.”
Mookie Betts is ready for Thursday
After battling a stomach ailment since mid-March, Roberts said Mookie Betts will be ready for Thursday’s home opener against the Detroit Tigers.
“I’m perfectly fine, perfectly normal.” Betts said after the game on Tuesday.
The eight-time All-Star was unable to hold down food since the Dodgers left for the Tokyo Series on March 13. He was back in the starting lineup in Tuesday’s exhibition game, taking three at-bats and playing five defensive innings.
Dustin May is ready for his return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.