LOS ANGELES, CA — The crack of a 98-mph fastball hitting Will Smith’s glove Tuesday night marked more than just a pitch—it was the culmination of Dustin May’s grueling two-year journey back to a major league mound. The Dodgers right-hander’s voice wavered as he described his comeback after Los Angeles’ 4-1 win over Arizona.
The Raw Moment That Said It All
• Pre-game bullpen tears: “I lost it warming up. Just hit me—all the rehab, the doubt, the pain.”
• First pitch standing ovation: 52,112 at Dodger Stadium rose as he fired a strike
• Final line: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 Ks (62 pitches)
“That’s the hardest I’ve ever worked for 12 outs,” May told reporters, his surgically-repaired elbow wrapped in ice.
Medical Marvel
May’s path included:
🩹 July 2021: Tommy John surgery
🩹 June 2023: Flexor tendon repair
🩹 387 rehab pitches in minors
“We rebuilt his mechanics from the ground up,” revealed Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior.
The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of
Despite the layoff, May’s arsenal dazzled:
🔥 Sinker: 97-99 mph (topping at 99.3)
🔥 Curveball: 3,274 RPM spin (top 3% MLB)
🔥 New cutter: 92 mph with 18″ break
“That’s frontline starter stuff,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “He’s back—and scary.”
What This Means for the Dodgers
• Playoff rotation boost: May joins Glasnow, Yamamoto, Buehler
• Bullpen preservation: 6-man rotation now likely
• October upside: His 0.95 WHIP in 2021 shows ceiling
Dave Roberts’ emotional take: “This is why we do what we do. To see a kid battle through hell and come out throwing flames?”
The Road Ahead
📅 Next start: Sunday vs. Reds (75-pitch limit)
📅 Full workload: Expected by mid-June
📅 Career crossroads: Free agent after 2024
As May walked off the field Tuesday, he tapped the “In Memory of Tyler Skaggs” sign in the Dodgers’ dugout—a silent tribute to the teammate who taught him to cherish every pitch.
#Dodgers #DustinMay #MLB #ComebackSZN
[Sidebar: May’s Pitch Metrics vs. 2021 All-Star Season]
[Graphic: Timeline of May’s Surgery & Rehab]
Update: May’s jersey from the game headed to Cooperstown.
