Dustin May DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May continued his strong start to the season on Monday, tossing six innings of one-run ball against the Colorado Rockies in a 5-3 win. May allowed just three hits and perhaps more importantly walked zero while striking out seven. The 27-year-old has been solid so far this year, but he did walk three in each of his first two starts, so his improved control in this one was good to see. After an injury-plagued 2024, the Dodgers will likely limit May's pitch counts, which limits his fantasy value. He should still be rostered in most leagues, as he has a good chance to help with ratios and could pick up some wins if he can be efficient with his pitches.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May will officially open the 2025 regular season as the team's No. 5 starter with right-hander Tony Gonsolin (back) opening the year on the injured list due to a back injury he suffered while lifting weights. Recovery from surgery on his right UCL and surgery to fix an esophageal tear kept May out for all the 2024 season, which means he'll most likely be on a strict innings limit in 2025. The 27-year-old has made only 20 starts and thrown 101 innings in the big leagues with the Dodgers since the start of the 2021 season due to injuries as well, so fantasy managers surely need to temper expectations. While May will open the year in the Dodgers' starting rotation, he is a candidate to move to the bullpen sooner than later once Gonsolin and Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) are ready to return.

According to manager Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Dustin May "makes the most sense" to be the fifth starter to open the season. Roberts noted that Tony Gonsolin (back) had a minor "hiccup" which opened the door for May to claim the final spot. Through five innings of work this spring, May has tallied six punchouts while allowing three earned runs, three hits, and four free passes. Last season, May was unable to pitch. He was recovering from a UCL revision surgery but then suffered an esophageal tear which kept him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. In 2023, May logged 48 innings of work with a solid 2.63 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. He tallied just 34 punchouts but generated an elite 5.2 percent barrel rate. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status during spring as he could be an intriguing late-round pick in deeper formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handers Tony Gonsolin (elbow) and Dustin May (elbow) could begin the 2025 regular season in bullpen roles, according to manager Dave Roberts. Although Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) won't make his debut this year as a starting pitcher right away, both Gonsolin and May could be ticketed for relief roles. The 30-year-old Gonsolin underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024, so it would be a way to limit his innings this season. May also missed all of the 2024 campaign and made only 20 starts from 2021-23 due to injury, so it would make sense if L.A. wanted to manage his innings in a relief role. The 27-year-old also is out of minor-league options, so if he doesn't win the No. 5 rotation spot in spring training, he'll almost certainly start the year out of the bullpen.

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Dustin May (elbow, throat) worth $2.135 million on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Since the Dodgers won the World Series in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, May has battled injuries and has made just 20 starts for the Blue. He first underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2021 before returning in August of 2022. The 27-year-old re-injured his right elbow in May of 2023 and needed a second Tommy John procedure that summer. He was originally expected to return in the second half of 2024, but that didn't happen after he needed surgery for a tear in his esophagus. The former third-rounder in 2016 has been good in 46 career outings (34 starts) with a 3.10 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, but his strikeout rate of 22.5% has left a lot to be desired given his high velocity. Given his lengthy injury history, he may be moved to the bullpen in 2025.