Dustin May, pitcher for the Dodgers, shares key requirement after spending first month recuperating from injury.
Things are heated up in the NL West with the LA Dodgers clinging onto a razor-thin lead at the summit, making it the best division in baseball. The Dodgers boast a record of 23 wins and 11 losses, giving them a slight edge, half a game over the San Diego Padres.
Impressively, Dave Roberts and his team have managed to chalk up these wins despite dealing with injuries in the starting rotation. Star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball this season and is in contention for the Cy Young award. The Dodgers have recently welcomed back Tony Gonsolin, are still looking forward to Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound, and have had to cope with Roki Sasaki's struggles.
Dustin May has also made a comeback to the mound for the Dodgers after a year-long absence in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. His return has been a roller-coaster of highs and lows as he works towards securing a significant postseason role for the defending champs. "There were ups and downs," May admitted to Rick Farlow of MLB.com. "There were a couple of good moments and a couple of really bad ones. I definitely need to be more consistent."
May's performance against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday was a rocky one, resulting in a 4-3 loss for his Dodgers. In that game, the 27-year-old pitched 5.2 innings and conceded four earned runs on five hits, including a couple of home runs.
The data for the 2025 season suggests a pitcher who is still searching for consistency but remains far from a burden on the mound. Over six starts, May has a 4.36 ERA, striking out 28 batters to 14 walks in 33 innings. He has three decisions in those six starts with a 1-2 record.
Once the Dodgers have a fully healthy rotation, there is uncertainty regarding how manager Dave Roberts will distribute the available arms. However, May finding a bit more consistency will make the defending champs even more formidable as they press on through the 2025 season.
Bonus Info
Dustin May's tenacity and mixed results in the 2025 season represent his rebound from missing the entire 2024 season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery and subsequent esophageal tear repair. While he has shown stamina with five-innings-completed in six starts, his performance statistics reveal a 4.36 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 14 walks, and 16 earned runs allowed. His sweeper pitch has proven effective, but he acknowledges the need to improve his pitch execution, particularly with regard to first-pitch strikes and count leverage. Statcast data indicates that hitters are making hard contact and may be due for regression, but manager Dave Roberts remains optimistic about May's progress.
- The San Diego Padres are likely to face stiff competition from the LA Dodgers in the NL West division of baseball in 2025, as the Dodgers, despite dealing with injuries to their pitchers, have a slim lead over the Padres.
- The Dodgers' star pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, has been impressive in the 2025 season, making him a strong contender for the Cy Young award.
- Dustin May, who returned to the Dodgers after a year-long absence due to Tommy John surgery in 2024, has shown improvements but is still searching for consistent performance in the 2025 season.
- May's performance against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday was less than satisfactory, resulting in a 4-3 loss for the Dodgers.
- With a 4.36 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in six starts of the 2025 season, May needs to improve his pitch execution, particularly with regard to first-pitch strikes and count leverage, to solidify his role in the Dodgers' rotation.
