GOOD NEWS: Despite missing most of the season, Dustin May’s powerful return journey leaves Dodgers Nation emotional and inspired
Dustin May didn’t log the innings he envisioned. He didn’t take his regular turn in the rotation, didn’t anchor the staff, and didn’t deliver the full season of electric fastballs the Dodgers expected. But make no mistake — his presence still left a mark. In a year filled with questions, pressure and evolving identities for Los Angeles, May remained one of the most important figures inside the clubhouse.
While the stat sheet paints a quiet picture, teammates insist the truth is far louder.
May’s season was defined not by what he couldn’t do, but by what he refused to stop doing: showing up. For a rotation battling inconsistency and injuries, his presence — the conversations, the energy, the support — mattered more than outsiders will ever know.
The fiery-haired right-hander spent months on the sidelines rehabbing, reworking his mechanics and staying close to the pitching staff. He studied video, traveled with the team and offered advice drawn from his own roller coaster of experiences. For a young rotation that needed stability, his voice carried weight.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said May became “a second set of eyes,” someone who understood the organization’s pitching philosophy so deeply that he naturally evolved into a mentor. Young arms leaned on him. Veterans appreciated his insight. The entire staff fed off his presence.
But what made May’s impact even more significant was his determination. Every bullpen session, every rehab step, every frustrating day of physical limitations became a collection of moments that teammates quietly admired. When a player rehabs alone, the grind can feel invisible. May refused to let it be. He embraced the work, the monotony, and the hope of returning stronger.
And near the end of the season, when he finally stepped back onto the mound for limited action, the reaction inside the dugout said everything. This wasn’t just a pitcher returning — it was a spirit returning.
The Dodgers know they will need him. Their future rotations will depend on depth, versatility and high-end stuff, and May brings all three when healthy. His upper-90s fastball, wicked movement and aggression have always made him a breakout star waiting to happen — the kind of arm that changes postseason series.
This year, though, he gave the Dodgers something different. Something quieter, but just as valuable: belief.
Belief that adversity can be endured. Belief that leadership is not limited to those on the field. Belief that presence — even without innings — can shift the tone inside a clubhouse.
Dustin May didn’t pitch a full season, but he made sure the season felt his presence. And for a franchise built on culture as much as talent, that matters.
As the Dodgers look toward next year, they aren’t asking whether May will matter.
They’re asking how big his impact will be once he’s finally back — fully, loudly, and unmistakably — on the mound.
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