Dodgers Starter Hits IL After Leaving Game With Elbow Pain

It's never a good thing when your starting pitcher packs up his stuff and exits the game with elbow pain after just one inning. That was the first sign of trouble facing the Los Angeles Dodgers today as Dustin May left after throwing 16 pitches in a scoreless inning. 

Dustin May's velocity was down in the first inning. He just grabbed his stuff and headed down the tunnel.

Dylan Covey warming.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 17, 2023

Turns out that May is suffering from a Grade 1 flexor pronator strain and will be out at least four to six weeks.  

The plan, a source said, is for Dustin May to get a PRP injection to address a Grade 1 flexor pronator strain. The hope from there is that this helps him avoid surgery, and a 4 to 6 week return if things heal properly.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 17, 2023

The signs of trouble began early, as May's velocity was down pretty much across the board in that first inning, which would be accounted for by the elbow pain.

Down a couple ticks on his velocity in the first inning. pic.twitter.com/RqlDcB8GqD

— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) May 17, 2023

His sinker was averaging 94.7 mph, two click below his season average, while his four-seamer was suffering the same fate, down 2 mph to 95.4 mph. 

It's another big blow to the LA rotation, as the 25-year-old May had been off to a sensational start for the Dodgers this season, with a 4-1 mark and a 2.68 ERA across eight starts, while holding opponents to an extremely stingy .171 batting average and .501 OPS. His hits allowed per nine (5.4) is the best in the majors as is his HR rate at 0.2/9.

May missed most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery in May '21. But thankfully the new injury is said to not be affecting his UCL.

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports