Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May undergoes season-ending esophagus surgery
- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May suffers a tear in his esophagus.
- May undergoes season-ending surgery to address the esophagus injury.
- Dodgers face another setback in their pitching staff as May won't return this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May's 2024 season has come to an abrupt end following esophagus surgery, as confirmed by the team on Sunday. The surgery was necessary to repair a tear in his esophagus, which he experienced after a dinner earlier in the week. This setback will likely keep May sidelined from physical activities for the next two months, according to ESPN. May, who had been recovering from a second elbow surgery, had not yet played in a game this season due to a series of injuries that have plagued him over the past two seasons. May, a promising talent in the Dodgers' rotation, made his Major League debut in 2019 and was expected to be a key player in leading the team's pitching staff. However, a history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2021 and a flexor tendon injury in 2023, has limited his playing time. With May now out for the season, the Dodgers face further challenges in their pitching rotation, already missing key players like Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Walker Buehler. The 26-year-old May, who boasts a 3.10 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 34 career starts, was aiming to return from his previous elbow surgery before this latest setback. The Dodgers were hopeful that he would provide a boost to their staff later in the season. Meanwhile, Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young winner, took a step closer to his return with a successful rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, indicating a potential reinforcement for the team's pitching woes. May's unfortunate injury adds to the challenges faced by the Dodgers' pitching staff, already dealing with multiple absences due to injuries. As the team navigates through this setback, the focus shifts to how they will adjust their rotation and cope with the absence of May for the remainder of the season. The Associated Press contributed to this report, shedding light on the latest developments surrounding May's surgery and the impact on the Dodgers' pitching dynamics.