Dodgers RHP Dustin May will miss 2024 with torn esophagus

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May is out for the rest of the 2024 season. The reason why is new.

The oft-injured flamethrower underwent surgery earlier this week to repair a ruptured esophagus, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The procedure will keep you away from physical activities for the next two months.

The injury was reportedly suffered in a non-baseball environment, with May seeking medical attention for throat and stomach pain.

May hasn’t pitched since May 17, 2023, having had surgery last year to repair a torn flexor tendon in his pitching arm. It was his second major elbow surgery in three years, having undergone Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in 2021.

He was expected to go on rehab assignment in the coming weeks, but instead will rest and rehab for the rest of the season.

With a fastball frequently reaching triple digits and some of the nastiest pitching moves in baseball, May was considered one of the most talented arms in MLB early in his career with the Dodgers. However, as is often the case with starting pitchers living in their 90s, injuries have derailed his career to the point that he has thrown just 191 2/3 innings in the six seasons since his debut.

May’s career high for innings pitched is 56.

The Dodgers pitching staff is riddled with injuries

The Dodgers hoped May could return in the second half to help their beleaguered pitching staff. Although Los Angeles sits in first place in the NL West with a 56-40 record, its list of injured pitchers is impressive in both quantity and star power.

May, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Brusdar Graterol, Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan, Michael Grove and Connor Brogdon are all currently on the injured list with issues of varying degrees. Glasnow is expected to return soon, while Sheehan and now May will be out until 2025.

And of course, there’s a pitcher named Shohei Ohtani who hasn’t pitched an inning all season.