Dodgers’ Dustin May returns to mound after missing 2024 with torn esophagus

GLENDALE, Ariz. — As the Los Angeles Dodgers completed their run to the franchise’s first World Series title in four years last season, their pitching staff was missing a noticeable flare of red. 

That’s because righty Dustin May was out for the season after a freak accident that happened in Arizona, while May was rehabbing from his second elbow surgery at the team’s spring training facility, Camelback Ranch, in Glendale. 

As first reported by the Los Angeles Times, May tore his esophagus on July 10, 2024, after taking a bite of salad while out for dinner. 

“I was at dinner, swallowed some salad, got stuck in my throat, swallowed some water on top of it and as soon as the water hit the salad, it just was full body on fire,” May told reporters after his first spring training start of 2025 on Sunday.   

May told the Los Angeles Times that he initially went home, as the pain wore off. However, his wife, Millie, was insistent that he go to the ER to get checked out.  

Once in the ER, May underwent a CT scan, which saw that contrast fluid May had drank had gone into his chest instead of his stomach, showing that a piece of lettuce May had swallowed had torn his esophagus.  

“And then, (I was) rushed over for surgery, got in surgery about midnight, got out about 7-8 in the morning and was in the hospital for about 11 days after that.”  

After that came a grueling six-month recovery, where May wasn’t allowed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. But May said only one thing could have kept him from being back on the diamond in Glendale this spring. 

“I would have fought tooth and nail to come back,” May said. “The only way it would have stopped me is if I would have been six feet under. So, I’m glad to be here and I’m glad to be out there.” 

The ordeal was hard for May, as he said he was “very close” to returning to Major League Baseball from a torn flexor tendon and Tommy John revision surgery that he underwent in 2023. Now, May says he is pitching at the same level he was in July 2024 and has a new look on life heading into the 2025 season. 

“It gave me a lot more, a lot more respect just to be here and a lot more gratitude and like, just happiness in my way of life, for sure,” May said. 

And now, he just has to be a little more careful while eating.  

“I’m back to normal diets. I’m just trying not to swallow fast, I guess,” May said. “That’s the biggest thing.” 

May pitched one inning for the Dodgers on Sunday against the San Diego Padres. He pitched a scoreless inning, allowing just one hit and struck out one batter.  

The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.

Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL’s Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.

The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football’s Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.

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