Dodgers' May pitches for 1st time in 648 days after nearly dying
The weight has been lifted off Dustin May's shoulders.
The Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander appeared in his first game in 648 days when he pitched one clean inning against the San Diego Padres during his team's 8-3 spring win on Sunday.
"It felt amazing just to be back," May said, according to MLB.com's Jack Magruder.
"A huge, huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, it feels like - even if it wouldn't have been a clean inning, just getting back in the dugout, feeling good, being here. It was really, really heavy. I'm alive. I'm glad I'm here. Just a huge excitement, like a breath of fresh air. Like a new beginning, kind of."
May threw 15 pitches in the outing, with the final toss clocking in at 95 mph and securing his lone strikeout.
The 27-year-old hadn't appeared in a game since 2023 after undergoing two elbow surgeries and recovering from a near-death experience last summer.
May detailed the life-threatening incident postgame, explaining that he tore his esophagus when a piece of salad got lodged in his throat while out to dinner with his wife and friends.
He remained in hospital for 11 days after undergoing emergency surgery.
"I was very close to getting back when I tore my esophagus. I was in a really, really great spot. It really sucked when it happened. I'm back to where I was then. I'm happy," May said.
The Texan is vying for a spot on the Dodgers' big-league roster and will likely be eased into a bullpen role if he makes the club.