Dodgers Dustin May Throwing After Taking Liner to Head in Arizona

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the media on Wednesday night that rookie right-handed pitcher Dustin May tossed a simulated inning, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

May was hit in the head with a line drive in his last appearance on September 1 and subsequently experienced some neck soreness.

Dave Roberts said no decision has been made on the next step for Dustin May, who threw a sim inning today.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 4, 2019

According to Gurnick, one of the hitters May faced was utility journeyman Kristopher Negrón:

Dustin May is throwing a sim game with Kris Negron batting.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 4, 2019

The ball that hit May was said to have grazed his glove, but it was pretty flush and it was a very, very ugly scene.

May has not been what the Dodgers have hoped out of the bullpen in his limited time there. As a starter, the 21-year-old right-hander has allowed just seven earned runs in 22 1/3 innings of work. As a reliever, he has also allowed seven earned runs, but in just 2 1/3 innings. Yikes. Going forward, May’s stuff points to a bright future, shown by a 98th percentile spin rate on his curveball and a 96th percentile spin rate on his fastball.

Regardless, the primary focus for Dustin May is to get healthy and to make sure everything is fine. Still, as more time passes, the chances of him earning a spot on the Dodgers’ postseason roster come October become slim.

The Dodgers possess a large amount of both relief and starting pitching options down the stretch and into October, but the Dodgers could certainly utilize May’s services.

Collectively, May holds a 5.11 ERA and 3.54 FIP in 24 2/3 innings, while striking out 18 batters.