While the Los Angeles Dodgers made major upgrades to their roster this offseason, they’re still facing some challenges as Opening Day approaches. Shohei Ohtani has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but as the season nears, the team has prioritized his return as a hitter while temporarily pausing his pitching rehab. This means Ohtani will be in the Opening Day line up as a batter but won’t be part of the starting rotation.
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell locked in as the first four starters, the Dodgers still need a fifth. Initially, right-hander Tony Gonsolin seemed like the likely choice, but a recent back injury sustained while weightlifting will land him on the injured list to start the season.
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers have already decided on Gonsolin’s replacement. “Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin will open the season on the IL, and Dustin May will be the Dodgers’ 5th starter,” Nightengale shared on X/Twitter.
May hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 2023 due to an elbow injury that required a complex, season-ending surgery. While rehabbing, he suffered a torn esophagus, which derailed his 2024 season before he could make a comeback.
It’s been nearly two years since May last took the mound in a regular-season game, making his return an inspiring story. Earning a spot in the starting rotation to begin the year marks a significant step forward in his journey back to big-league stardom.
