Dodgers Injury Updates: Dustin May, Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw

Despite hype growing around Dustin May and his chances of making the Opening Day roster — early evaluations have heaped praise on his curveball, and Dodgers' Spanish broadcaster José Mota chose May as his favorite for LA's last spot in the rotation — it's hard not to wonder exactly how ready he is for a full season of action after missing all of 2024.

May has never pitched more than 56 innings in a season, and that was during the COVID year. He was on the shelf for all of 2024 because of a flexor tendon surgery, a Tommy John revision, and then an esophageal surgery, solidifying his title as the Dodgers' unluckiest pitcher. Although he's had a nice few outings in spring training, the esophageal surgery also shot his chances of embarking on a rehab assignment last season.

Dave Roberts left open the possibility of May starting the season on the IL so he could complete that assignment. Tony Gonsolin managed to get one done in September last year and Bobby Miller still hasn't gotten on the mound after taking a liner to the head in the spring opener, so Gonsolin may now be the clear favorite to take that last spot.

Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani pause, Clayton Kershaw return

The Dodgers pressed pause on Shohei Ohtani's throwing progression in late February in order to help him shift his attention toward DH'ing ahead of the Tokyo Series. That called into question his loose timeline to returning to pitching in May.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior offered some insight into the delay, saying, "We don't really have this template or road map or even experience really dealing with a guy with a two-way situation. [...] So I think this was a good time to just kind of like de-load and make sure he's geared up, ready to go, and then continue to throw and then gear up once we get back."

Admittedly, it's a unique situation, but fans never want to hear about someone's throwing program being put on hold following elbow surgery.

Clayton Kershaw did provide some positive news, if that helps Dodgers fans. His return to the mound was expected to come sometime in the summer after he underwent knee and toe surgeries last year, but he told reporters that he expected to be ready to come off the IL as soon as he's eligible in late May.

Kershaw started throwing bullpens at Dodgers camp this weekend, and Roberts estimated that he'd thrown "19 of 23 strikes" in his first session. The sooner Kershaw can get back and deepen this rotation, the better off LA is repeating as champions.