Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reveals Who Will Replace Dustin May in Starting Rotation
The Dodgers rotation took a huge hit on Wednesday when RHP Dustin May suffered what the team is now calling a right forearm strain. May is going to be out at least a month, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday that it's probably going to be longer.
"It’s going to be at least a month and we’re looking probably beyond that," Roberts said. "There’s probably gonna be a potential PRP injection to, kind of, see if that takes, just as far as doing what we can. That’s probably the next step but I don’t know when that’s gonna take place."
It sucks for both the Dodgers and for May, who was enjoying a strong start to the season finally fully healthy. May had Tommy John surgery in May of 2021, and returned in August of 2022. It appeared that he was finally set to be back and ready for a huge year, but that's now been put on hold for the time being.
With May out for another month-plus, the Dodgers obviously have to fill his spot in the rotation. Roberts didn't have an answer when he was asked about it on Wednesday, but did start to imply who could fill it, at least in the immediate, on Thursday.
"Obviously Gavin Stone is lined up," Roberts said. "He just had a good one last night, so that just seems to make the most sense."
While Roberts wouldn’t confirm that Stone was getting the start, he heavily implied the fact that it’s very likely to happen — and it definitely makes the most sense.
Stone is on line to play, and is by far the best option without calling someone else up to make their MLB debut. Michael Grove, who's with the Dodgers in St. Louis on the taxi squad, doesn't sound like an option. Maybe he's not fully built up or maybe they're planning on using him in relief, but whatever the case, it sounds like Stone is the best option.
Stone didn't get off to the best start in his MLB debut, allowing four earned runs in four innings. However, he knows what he can do, as do the Dodgers, and he should look much, much better for his second start at the major league level.
Assuming Stone takes May's spot in the rotation, his next start would be on Monday against the Atlanta Braves.
