Dustin May, the 27-year-old right-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is approaching the upcoming season with a strong sense of confidence. After undergoing his second significant elbow surgery nearly two years ago, May expressed optimism about his performance. “I feel really good,” he stated. “When my stuff is in the zone, it’s just as good as anybody’s in the league.”

Uncertain Role Ahead of Opening Day

As the Dodgers prepare for the commencement of their regular season with less than a week left in spring training, one significant question remains: what position will May fill? Manager Dave Roberts recognized the importance of keeping options open, saying, “Everything should be on the table.” This speaks to the evolving nature of the team’s decisions regarding the final spots in their pitching lineup.

Competition for the Last Spot

This spring, both May and Tony Gonsolin, who also missed last season recovering from elbow surgeries, are in contention for the fifth spot in the rotation. Gonsolin has shown strong performance, pitching three scoreless innings across two games this spring along with a scrimmage outing that further showcased his readiness. Additionally, Gonsolin has gained experience from a minor-league rehab assignment last year, which may give him an edge over May.

On the flip side, May is in the midst of his recovery phase, having not played regular-season baseball since May 17, 2023, due to an elbow injury that necessitated a flexor tendon and Tommy John revision surgery. Despite facing multiple setbacks and having made just 15 appearances since his original Tommy John procedure was performed in 2021, May’s fastball remains impressive; it has reached speeds of up to 97 mph this spring.

Assessing May’s Performance

Roberts noted that May’s slider appears to be in even better form than before, a key aspect that could enhance his overall performance. “Being able to land that is probably going to be my biggest thing for the whole year,” May emphasized, indicating that execution with his slider would help in unlocking the full potential of his pitching repertoire.

Potential Pathways for May

Roberts has indicated that the competition for the final rotation spot is highly fluid, keeping in mind that May may also begin the season in the bullpen or even take a minor-league rehab assignment. “There are just a lot of different variables,” Roberts noted, while acknowledging that both pitchers are having productive springs.

Composition of the Opening Day Roster

Outside of the rotation competition, the Dodgers’ opening day roster appears largely settled. Key positions are filled, with remaining uncertainty primarily at second base and center field. Tommy Edman is expected to take on a significant role, while other spots may see a mix of players including Andy Pages, Kiké Hernández, and Miguel Rojas.

Busy Season Ahead for the Rotation

The Dodgers anticipate an evolving rotation throughout the season, particularly with plans to utilize Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki on a limited schedule. This could necessitate variability in the starting lineup, particularly as Shohei Ohtani prepares to resume full-time play as he returns from injury.

Looking Forward

As the Dodgers finalize their decisions leading into their season-opening trip to Japan, it remains to be seen how they will incorporate May into their pitching staff. With multiple paths available, May remains focused on his objective: “I would like to think so,” he remarked when asked about his chances at a starting position. “But I just need to log innings.”