May’s Amazing Comeback Contributes to the Dodgers’ Unprecedented Start

The Los Angeles Dodgers, long known for their rich history, championship pedigree, and consistent excellence, have always been a team that people expect to be near the top of the standings. However, their remarkable start to the 2025 season has been something extraordinary even by their high standards. A key player in this early success has been starting pitcher Dustin May, whose incredible comeback story is not only inspiring but also one of the major catalysts behind the team’s dominance.

Dustin May’s journey to the top of the Dodgers’ rotation was not an easy one. The tall right-hander, who had shown promise as one of the most talented pitchers in the major leagues, faced significant hurdles in the form of injuries. Yet, in a season where the Dodgers have set the baseball world on fire with their performance, it is May’s remarkable resilience and rebounding from injury that has helped fuel their unprecedented start.

The Early Promise of Dustin May

Dustin May entered the major leagues with a reputation as one of the most talented young pitchers to come through the Dodgers’ organization in recent years. Known for his high-90s fastball and devastating sinker, May quickly became a fan favorite and a key figure in the Dodgers’ pitching rotation.

In 2019, May was called up and immediately made an impact, appearing in 14 games and showing the kind of stuff that made him a highly coveted prospect. He was unhittable at times, flashing a devastating arsenal that included a high-velocity fastball, a plus slider, and a changeup that had just enough movement to keep hitters guessing. By the time the 2020 season rolled around, May was poised to be a fixture in the Dodgers’ rotation.

During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, May continued to impress, helping the Dodgers win the World Series. His ability to limit hard contact and generate ground balls made him a natural fit for the Dodgers’ pitching philosophy. He was quickly becoming one of the most promising young arms in baseball.

However, despite his early success, May’s career would be sidelined by injuries, a setback that would challenge his resolve and put his future in question.

The Setback: Injuries and Rehabilitation

The 2021 season was supposed to be May’s breakout year. He entered the season as one of the Dodgers’ key pitchers and was expected to take on a larger role. But in the early months of the season, the injury bug struck. May suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow, which required Tommy John surgery—a devastating blow to any pitcher, let alone one with so much promise.

The road to recovery from Tommy John surgery is long and arduous, and for a young player like May, it was a test of patience, resilience, and mental fortitude. He was sidelined for the entirety of the 2021 season and much of the 2022 campaign as well. The physical toll of the surgery, coupled with the mental strain of a lengthy recovery, left many wondering if May would ever return to his pre-injury form.

Yet, Dustin May was not one to be easily deterred. He poured everything he had into his rehabilitation, determined to come back stronger. After more than a year of hard work and perseverance, May was able to return to the mound in 2023, but his return was not without its challenges. He had to work his way back into the swing of things, regaining the sharpness on his fastball and the command of his secondary pitches that had made him so effective before the injury.

Though he wasn’t quite the same pitcher immediately upon his return, the flashes of brilliance were still there. May showed signs of the electric stuff that had once made him one of the most feared pitchers in the league, but it was clear that the road to full recovery would take time.

The 2025 Resurgence: A Dominant Pitcher Again

Fast forward to the start of the 2025 season. Many expected May to be a solid contributor to the Dodgers’ rotation, but what has unfolded so far has been nothing short of miraculous. May has not just returned to form—he’s thriving at an elite level.

From the outset of the 2025 season, it was evident that May had regained his elite stuff. His fastball, which had once been a key weapon, had even more life on it than before. He was once again hitting triple digits with ease, and his sinker had that sharp, late movement that made it a nightmare for hitters to square up. More importantly, May had regained his command of his pitches, something that can often be an issue for pitchers coming back from Tommy John surgery.

What was most remarkable about May’s return, however, was his poise and ability to execute in big moments. The Dodgers’ pitching staff has always been one of the team’s strengths, but May’s addition to the rotation has taken it to another level. He has become one of the most consistent and dominant pitchers in the league, and his ability to shut down opposing offenses has been a crucial factor in the Dodgers’ stellar start.

May’s performance in the early months of the 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular. He has consistently posted quality starts, regularly going deep into games while keeping his pitch count low. His ERA has been among the best in the National League, and he has regularly flirted with no-hitters and perfect games, a testament to his stuff and the level at which he is pitching.

The Dodgers have been riding May’s excellence, and his success has been a key factor in their remarkable start. With May anchoring the rotation, the team has been able to dominate opponents, both offensively and defensively. The Dodgers’ ability to win games by large margins has been a testament to the depth of their roster, but it’s May who has been the driving force behind many of those wins.

The Dodgers’ Unprecedented Start

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 season has been one of the best in franchise history. From top to bottom, the team has been clicking on all cylinders. Offensively, the Dodgers have been hitting for power and average, with some of the game’s best players leading the charge. Defensively, their ability to field and turn double plays has been impressive, and their bullpen has been as dominant as ever.

However, it is the starting rotation, particularly May, that has been the most significant factor in the Dodgers’ early dominance. While Clayton Kershaw has continued to defy Father Time and other pitchers like Julio Urías have been consistent, May has emerged as the ace of the staff. His contributions on the mound have allowed the Dodgers to win games in a variety of ways—whether it’s through dominant pitching performances, late-game heroics, or simply controlling the pace of the game from the outset.

May’s emergence as an ace in 2025 has been a key factor in the Dodgers’ ability to maintain such a blistering pace. In a season where every game feels like a must-win, having a pitcher like May has allowed the Dodgers to set the tone early and often. His ability to pitch deep into games, keep the opposing team’s offense in check, and provide a sense of stability to the rotation has been invaluable.

The Dodgers’ unprecedented start in 2025—marked by a combination of offensive firepower, stellar pitching, and defensive excellence—has given fans reason to believe that this could be one of the best teams in franchise history. And at the heart of that success has been Dustin May’s incredible comeback story.

Looking Ahead: May’s Legacy and the Dodgers’ Future

As the 2025 season progresses, it’s clear that Dustin May’s comeback is one of the most significant stories in baseball. The fact that he has not only returned to his previous form but is pitching better than ever speaks to his resilience, work ethic, and unwavering determination. May’s story is one of overcoming adversity and turning setbacks into comebacks, a narrative that resonates with fans and teammates alike.

For the Dodgers, the contributions of May in 2025 are a reminder of how important a strong rotation is in the pursuit of a championship. While the offense has been explosive, and the defense has been airtight, it is May’s pitching that has been the glue holding everything together. If he can maintain his current form, the Dodgers will be a formidable force in the National League and beyond.

Looking ahead, May’s place in Dodgers’ lore is only just beginning to take shape. If he can continue to pitch at a high level, there’s no reason why the Dodgers couldn’t be a championship contender year after year. And for May, who has battled back from the brink of his career to reach this level of performance, his legacy as one of the game’s best pitchers will only continue to grow.

For now, though, it’s safe to say that the 2025 season has been defined by one key story: the amazing comeback of Dustin May, whose contributions have helped propel the Dodgers to one of the best starts in their storied history. With May leading the charge, the sky is the limit for this team. And for Dodgers fans, there’s no telling just how high the bar will be set in the months to come.