Dodgers' May lands on IL with flexor pronator strain
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May was placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a right flexor pronator strain during Wednesday's start, manager Dave Roberts announced Thursday.
Roberts said Wednesday that May will miss at least one month but could not give any firm timetable for when he might be back, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
In corresponding moves made Thursday, the Dodgers recalled relievers Justin Bruihl and Andre Jackson. Right-handed reliever Dylan Covey was designated for assignment.
May underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the 2021 season. Initial tests showed that his UCL didn't sustain damage from the flexor injury, a source told Ardaya.
The plan, a source said, is for Dustin May to get a PRP injection to address a Grade 1 flexor pronator strain. The hope from there is that this helps him avoid surgery, and a 4 to 6 week return if things heal properly.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 17, 2023
May left Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins after just one inning due to right elbow pain and went immediately to the clubhouse. He was replaced on the mound by Dylan Covey to start the second.
The 25-year-old allowed just one hit while striking out two in his lone inning of work, although his velocity was noticeably down across the board. May's hardest pitch clocked in at 95.8 mph.
Down a couple ticks on his velocity in the first inning. pic.twitter.com/RqlDcB8GqD
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) May 17, 2023
May has been one of the Dodgers' most consistent starters this year, sporting a 2.63 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and just one home run allowed in 48 innings.
Internal options that could replace May in the Dodgers' rotation include Gavin Stone and Andre Jackson, who are both pitching at Triple-A Oklahoma City and on the 40-man roster. Other pitchers with starting experience currently in Oklahoma City include Matt Andriese, Robbie Erlin, and William Cuevas.
Left-hander Justin Bruihl, who was optioned to Triple-A earlier Wednesday, will rejoin the team once May officially goes on the IL, per Ardaya.