Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May won’t play for the rest of 2024 because he needs surgery for a torn esophagus, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. May was recovering from a previous arm injury and was about to start rehab when he had to have this surgery. He’ll need to avoid physical activity for about two months.
Last season, May posted impressive numbers with 34 strikeouts, a 2.63 ERA, and a career-best 0.94 WHIP in nine appearances. His standout year came in the shortened 2020 season, where he achieved career-highs of 44 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA in 12 games, including postseason contributions in the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
May’s career has been marred by injuries since his standout 2020 season, including a torn elbow ligament requiring Tommy John surgery in 2021 and subsequent surgery on his flexor in 2023, limiting him to just 11 appearances over the last two seasons. His absence adds to the Dodgers’ current pitching woes, with several other key starters and relievers sidelined due to injuries.
The Dodgers, already missing starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and Emmet Sheehan, along with relievers Brusdar Graterol, Joe Kelly, and Ryan Brasier, face further challenges in their pitching rotation. While starter Tyler Glasnow recently joined the injured list, his absence is expected to be shorter-term compared to May’s season-ending setback.
