Dustin May's 2024 Season Ends After Esophagus Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May has been ruled out for the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair a tear in his esophagus. May, who was set to make his return from Tommy John surgery this season, experienced discomfort after dinner earlier in the week and sought medical attention the following day.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May's 2024 season has come to an abrupt end after he underwent surgery to repair a tear in his esophagus. The team announced the news on Sunday, stating that May had been experiencing discomfort after a dinner earlier in the week.

According to ESPN, May sought medical attention the day after the dinner for pain in his throat and stomach. He was reportedly diagnosed with a tear in his throat and will likely be sidelined from any physical activity for the next two months.

Dustin May's 2024 Season Ends After Esophagus Surgery

May, who was set to have a rehab assignment as he recovered from a second-elbow surgery he had nearly a year ago, has not appeared in a Dodgers game yet this season. Injuries have kept May on the sidelines for the last two seasons. He's made just 20 appearances over the last three seasons, recording 98 strikeouts in 101 innings during those games.

May made his Major League debut in 2019 and was expected to become among the faces to lead the Dodgers' rotation into a new era as he recorded a 2.57 ERA in 12 games during the coronavirus pandemic-shortened season.

Dustin May's 2024 Season Ends After Esophagus Surgery

However, he needed Tommy John surgery in 2021, which kept him out for most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He then suffered a flexor tendon injury, which cost him most of the 2023 season.

The Dodgers' pitching rotation has been decimated with injuries all season long. Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Walker Buhler are all on the mend. Shohei Ohtani won't be able to pitch until 2025.

Dustin May's 2024 Season Ends After Esophagus Surgery

The Dodgers are now left with a depleted pitching staff and will need to rely on their remaining healthy arms to make a deep playoff run. May's injury is a significant blow to the team's hopes, as he was expected to be a key contributor to the rotation.

The team has not yet announced a timetable for May's return, but it is likely that he will miss the entire 2024 season. The Dodgers will hope that he can return to full health and become a key part of their rotation in 2025.

In the meantime, the Dodgers will need to find a way to replace May's production in the rotation. They could turn to young pitchers such as Ryan Pepiot and Bobby Miller, or they could explore trade options to acquire another starting pitcher.

The Dodgers are still one of the favorites to win the World Series this season, but May's injury is a significant setback. The team will need to find a way to overcome his absence if they want to reach their ultimate goal.