Dustin May has won the Los Angeles’ Dodgers No. 5 starter, manager Dave Roberts said on Dodgers Territory Monday night.
May beat out Tony Gonsolin, who suffered an injury while lifting weights.
More news: James Outman’s Status for Dodgers’ Japan Trip Has Been Revealed
”I think it’s Dustin because, he’s obviously pitched well, getting back,” Roberts said. “Tony with the little hiccup, just not being able to build up. I think Dustin makes a lot of sense.”
Roberts said Gonsolin hurt his back while lifting weights, which gave May a leg up in the competition. It’s currently unclear how severe Gonsolin’s injury is, but it was clearly enough of an issue to keep him out of the Opening Day starting rotation, even though he wouldn’t have to pitch until April 1 as the team’s No. 5 starter.
For May, this is an incredible accomplishment after nearly two years of fighting to get back onto a mound.
May last pitched in May 2023, leaving a start against the Minnesota Twins after just one inning with right elbow pain. Two months later, it was announced that May was undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow, as well as a Tommy John revision surgery.
May battled back to try to make a return in 2024. However, in July, he underwent surgery to repair a torn esophagus that was caused by eating a piece of lettuce. May said he almost died, but was saved by emergency surgery.
Read more: Dodgers’ Dustin May Opens Up on Near Death Experience Last Year
In three appearances this spring, May has allowed three earned runs across five innings with six strikeouts and four walks. His most recent start was his best, though, as he pitched three shutout innings, allowing just one hit with two walks while striking out three.
As for Gonsolin, this is an unfortunate setback for a pitcher who also hasn’t pitched since 2023.
Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023, and attempted to return late last year. While Gonsolin was potentially available for the Dodgers in the postseason after making three rehab appearances, the team elected not to activate him and let him prepare this spring to return to the rotation.
Now, a “hiccup” has prevented him from starting the season in the Opening Day rotation. However, it remains to be seen how far back this injury sets him.
More news: Dodgers Haven’t Decided if Hyeseong Kim Will Travel to Japan for Tokyo Series
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!
