Dodgers fortify pitching staff: Pre-Arbitration deal reached
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Dustin May have agreed to $2.135 million to avoid arbitration, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. This settlement could pay big dividends for the current World Champions in 2025.
Dodgers, Dustin May Reach Settlement to Avoid Arbitration
Multiple Injuries
Dustin May has some of the most electric pitches in the Los Angeles organization. However, he has had trouble staying healthy. In fact, May hasn’t seen a big league mound since the middle of 2023. The right-hander was projected to return the latter half of the 2024 season, after rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, he had to have emergency surgery to repair a torn esophagus, sidelining him for the rest of the year.
Options for 2025
The Dodgers are planning to go for a six-man starting rotation for the 2025 season. This would be a response to the avalanche of injuries the Dodgers pitchers experienced this year It would not only limit the amount of innings for Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani, who will all be coming off injuries. The strategy will also preserve the regular five days of rest for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and, perhaps Roki Sasaki, should he choose to sign with Los Angeles. It is not hard to see this plan benefiting May as well.
Another Scenario
With May’s filthy arsenal, one could also easily envision a spot in the bullpen for the right-hander. The run on his sinker and the drop on his breaking ball is a devastating combination.
The Dodgers could use a high-leverage right arm in the late innings of ballgames, given that Daniel Hudson announced his retirement. Blake Treinen and Joe Kelly are also free agents and may choose to go elsewhere. Brusdar Graterol will miss the first half of 2025 coming off shoulder surgery.
If May is healthy and anywhere near as effective as he has shown he can be, the Dodgers have to be elated that the right-hander will be an available weapon at their disposal. The only question left is, where will he be deployed?
