Dodgers rotation readies for big boost with Dustin May return

With the inevitable return of Dustin May from a torn UCL, the rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers is about to get deeper and tougher for opposing batters.

Dustin May has thrown the ball well in Triple-A and could rejoin the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation on Saturday

The 24-year-old right-hander hasn’t pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers since going just 1.2 innings on May 1, 2021, at the Milwaukee Brewers. May would eventually need Tommy John surgery, but is working his way back to the Dodgers through rehab assignments … and is looking very impressive in the process.

With numbers like that at Triple-A, it’s expected that May will rejoin his teammates at Chavez Ravine well before the postseason begins (UPDATE: He is expected to be back on Saturday). Depending on the timing of his arrival, May’s return could be a big boost for the Dodgers, who currently have Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list with a lower back issue.

And just how good has May been in Oklahoma City? An immaculate inning tells you everything you need to know about his readiness to return to L.A.

In 31 games (19 starts) for Los Angeles since his debut on August 2, 2019, May has a career 2.93 ERA over 113.2 innings. He also already has MLB postseason experience, pitching in seven games during the World Series run for Los Angeles during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

A Dodgers rotation with a healthy Kershaw and May, as well as Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, and Tyler Anderson would pose a formidable threat for any batters facing Los Angeles in the postseason. Additionally, Andrew Heaney, who has made seven starts this season for the Dodgers and logged a 1.16 ERA in 31.0 innings, gives the team added depth as well and options for who might draw a postseason start at the back end of the rotation.

May’s return is important as Walker Buehler will not be back with the team this season after it was announced he is undergoing elbow surgery.

While the Dodgers were relatively quiet at the MLB trade deadline, the return of players such as Chris Taylor and Dustin May after August 2 gives the already-stacked L.A. roster even more weapons as the postseason awaits.