Dodgers News: Dustin May Moves Up in Dave Roberts' Official Starting Rotation
On Friday, the Dodgers made a slew of announcements regarding their starting rotation. The team announced on Twitter that LHP Julio Urias would be getting the nod on Opening Day for the first time in his career.
Also, manager Dave Roberts announced the starters for the next three games, and surprising to some, RHP Dustin May is the team's No. 2 starter, not Clayton Kershaw.
I personally saw this coming, as I had a feeling Roberts would want to alternate righties and lefties in the rotation. So, instead of going left, left, right, right, right, Roberts is going, left, right, left, right, right.
After May, it's Kershaw, and then the newest Dodger pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Then, the No. 5 spot will be either Ryan Pepiot or Michael Grove, but Roberts elected not to reveal the winner of that competition yet. He did say, however, that he's already informed the players of who will be the team's fifth starter.
This will be the rotation for the first few weeks, until RHP Tony Gonsolin is able to return from the injured list.
Then, the Pepiot/Grove competition winner will likely head back to Triple-A, where they'll continue to work until the Dodgers need another spot start.
The Dodgers rotation should be a strong point again in 2023, however, they'll need to stay healthy. Outside of Urias, the Dodgers are relying on some injury-prone starters, so hopefully, they're able to avoid the injury bug as best as possible. Fortunately, if anyone is forced to miss time, Pepiot and Grove will be waiting to fill in.
