A Single Bite of Salad Interrupted Dustin May’s Comeback with the Dodgers: A Tale of Resilience, Recovery, and Gratitude

The journey back to the mound for a professional athlete is rarely linear. It is filled with moments of uncertainty, frustration, and resilience. Few stories embody this more than Dustin May’s remarkable comeback to the Los Angeles Dodgers. For May, a single, seemingly innocuous moment—a bite of salad—led to a setback that would leave many questioning their fate. But instead of succumbing to the disappointment, May embraced the challenge with grace and gratitude, ultimately making his return to the Dodgers’ rotation after overcoming a series of obstacles.

This is a story about perseverance, the unpredictable nature of professional sports, and the deep gratitude that comes with the opportunity to continue doing what you love. It’s also a reflection on how a single, unexpected event can impact a career and change the way an athlete approaches their craft.

The Road to Recovery: Dustin May’s Initial Injury

Dustin May, often known for his powerful right arm and distinctive red hair, was once seen as one of the most promising pitchers in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. His combination of velocity, command, and devastating off-speed pitches made him a centerpiece of the Dodgers’ pitching staff. As he showed signs of becoming a future ace, May quickly gained recognition as one of the top young pitchers in the league.

However, as is often the case in sports, May’s promising career was abruptly interrupted. In May 2021, Dustin May underwent Tommy John surgery, a procedure that has become somewhat routine in modern baseball but still carries significant risks and a lengthy recovery time. Tommy John surgery involves the reconstruction of the elbow ligament and typically requires a year or more of recovery and rehabilitation. The procedure is named after the legendary pitcher Tommy John, who was the first to successfully return to the mound after having the surgery.

May’s road to recovery was a grueling process. For a pitcher, regaining full functionality of the elbow and the ability to throw with consistency is no small feat. While his teammates continued to compete for the Dodgers in his absence, May was in the gym, working tirelessly to regain his strength. His days were filled with rehab sessions, stretching, conditioning, and trying to rebuild his arm to pre-injury form. It’s a long road for any pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery, but May showed remarkable discipline and determination.

After more than a year of recovery, May began to show signs that he was ready for a return. His arm felt strong, and his pitches were once again hitting the high 90s in velocity. By 2023, the long-awaited moment had arrived—May was ready to make his comeback to the major leagues. But little did he know that an unexpected turn of events would delay that comeback.

The Salad Incident: A Setback in the Comeback

As May prepared for his return to the mound, an event that had nothing to do with his rehab or pitching caused an unexpected setback. One afternoon, during a team meal, May took a bite of salad—a seemingly harmless act that would set in motion a chain of events that he would later describe as frustrating and somewhat surreal.

In a bizarre twist, May choked on a piece of lettuce, resulting in a small but concerning injury to his throat. While this may sound trivial, for a professional athlete, particularly one whose livelihood depends on the use of their body, even the smallest injury can have a significant impact. This injury, though not serious in a traditional sense, was enough to delay May’s return to the Dodgers. It was an example of the unpredictable nature of sports, where recovery from a major surgery could be overshadowed by something as simple as food getting stuck in your throat.

For May, this was a frustrating turn of events. After working so hard to come back from Tommy John surgery, he was confronted with a minor injury that seemed almost absurd. The timing was unfortunate, and it undoubtedly threw a wrench into his meticulously planned comeback. The setback, though small, was a reminder that no matter how hard an athlete works, there are always external factors that can interfere with even the best-laid plans.

The Mental and Emotional Toll of Setbacks

In professional sports, mental fortitude is often just as important as physical ability. For May, the frustration of this seemingly trivial setback was palpable. Having already endured the long recovery process from Tommy John surgery, the added obstacle of a minor throat injury presented a psychological hurdle. It was a test of his patience, resilience, and ability to stay focused on his ultimate goal: returning to the Dodgers’ rotation.

Setbacks like this one can be mentally challenging for athletes. After all, the journey to return from a serious injury is filled with a mix of emotions—hope, anxiety, doubt, and joy. Each day that passes without a full recovery can be mentally exhausting, as athletes are often forced to confront their own limitations. May’s experience with the salad incident serves as a reminder that no comeback is ever easy and that the path back to elite performance is rarely straightforward.

However, May’s mental strength became a central part of his recovery process. While many athletes might have been frustrated or discouraged by such an odd and inconvenient setback, May took it in stride. The minor injury provided him with an opportunity to reassess his approach to recovery and refocus on his goals. It was a chance to reflect on his progress, but also to gain a greater appreciation for the long, often unpredictable, road that athletes must travel.

Gratitude and Perspective: The Road Back to the Mound

Despite the challenges, May remained focused on his ultimate goal: to return to the mound for the Dodgers. For May, the process of recovery and return to professional baseball was not just about reclaiming his place as a starting pitcher but about embracing the opportunity to play again after such a lengthy absence.

When asked about the experience, May expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to be back on the field. “After everything that I’ve been through,” May said in a post-game interview, “I’m just grateful to be here. I’ve learned a lot about myself during this process. Every day I get to play this game, I appreciate it a little more.”

This mindset—rooted in gratitude—became an essential part of May’s journey. For athletes like May, the physical hurdles of recovery are tough, but it’s the mental and emotional strain that can be just as daunting. The frustration of setbacks, no matter how small or large, can sometimes lead to feelings of doubt and discouragement. But May’s ability to stay grounded and focus on the bigger picture helped him navigate these challenges.

His comeback story, after all, wasn’t just about physical recovery. It was about finding a renewed sense of purpose and resilience. For May, each moment he spent on the field—whether it was a rehab assignment or his eventual return to the big league mound—was a victory in itself. The salad incident, though frustrating at the time, ultimately allowed him to appreciate the process and find joy in the moments that mattered.

The Return to the Dodgers: A Symbol of Triumph

Dustin May’s return to the Dodgers was a moment of triumph. It wasn’t just about his physical recovery or the mechanics of pitching; it was about the mental and emotional growth that came with overcoming obstacles. After the salad setback and the ups and downs of his journey back from Tommy John surgery, May finally returned to pitch for the Dodgers.

When he took the mound, it wasn’t just a victory for May—it was a victory for the entire Dodgers organization. It was proof that through perseverance and a positive outlook, athletes can overcome even the most unexpected challenges. May’s performance on the mound, which showed flashes of his previous dominance, served as a reminder that he was back and ready to contribute to the Dodgers’ championship aspirations.

But perhaps the most meaningful takeaway from May’s story is his sense of gratitude. What may have once seemed like a frustrating setback—a single bite of salad that interrupted his comeback—became a catalyst for growth. May’s journey from injury to recovery to return is one of resilience, and his gratitude for the opportunity to play again provides a reminder of the true meaning of success.

 Resilience, Gratitude, and the Importance of the Journey

Dustin May’s story is a powerful reminder that the road to recovery is rarely straightforward. From Tommy John surgery to a bizarre salad incident that delayed his return, May faced setbacks that could have derailed many other athletes. However, through it all, May’s ability to stay focused on the bigger picture—his love for the game, his gratitude for the opportunity to play, and his mental fortitude—enabled him to overcome these obstacles and make his way back to the mound.

For May, this journey wasn’t just about physical recovery; it was about finding perspective and appreciating the small victories along the way. The salad incident, while seemingly trivial, was a reminder of how unpredictable life can be and how even the smallest moments can have a significant impact. Ultimately, May’s return to the Dodgers was a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of gratitude, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

May may have had a setback, but his comeback—both in the physical and emotional sense—is a story of triumph and determination. And for that, both May and his fans can be incredibly grateful.