Dustin May’s Dodgers Days Are Numbered: Struggles on the Mound Signal Inevitable Offseason Exit Amid Mounting Frustration and Decline

In a season filled with promise but marred by inconsistency, one of the more troubling developments for the Los Angeles Dodgers has come in the form of right-hander Dustin May. Once seen as a future ace in the making, May’s latest stretch on the mound has been nothing short of disastrous — and it appears to be sealing his fate with the franchise. According to multiple insiders close to the organization, there is growing belief that May’s time in Los Angeles will come to an end this offseason, with both parties ready to move on.

The 26-year-old flamethrower has posted a string of underwhelming outings, giving up hard contact at an alarming rate and showing signs that his once-explosive stuff has lost its edge. The Dodgers, who have long invested in May’s potential, are now witnessing a painful unraveling that could lead to an offseason divorce. More than just a rough patch, May’s recent performances are being viewed as a guarantee — not a possibility — that he’ll be pitching elsewhere by Spring Training 2026.

The writing has been on the wall for a while, but the last month has made it impossible to ignore. Since returning from elbow surgery that cut short his 2023 campaign, May has struggled to find the rhythm and command that made him a breakout candidate just two years ago. His ERA has ballooned to well over 5.00, and his strikeout rate has dipped significantly. Once known for his electric fastball that danced in the upper 90s with tailing action, May now looks like a shadow of his former self — tentative, predictable, and often inefficient.

In his most recent starts, the numbers have been brutal. Over his last five appearances, May has allowed 22 earned runs across just 19 innings. Opposing hitters are slashing .314/.389/.543 against him during that span, and his velocity is trending downward with each outing. Pitching coach Mark Prior has tried every tool in his arsenal to help May rediscover his form — adjustments to mechanics, pitch sequencing, tempo — but nothing seems to be sticking.

One anonymous team executive admitted that the mood around May’s future is somber but realistic.

“At some point, you can’t keep saying it’s just rust or bad luck. We’ve seen enough to know this isn’t working,” the executive said. “We’ve done everything we can to support Dustin. But we also have to be honest with ourselves about where he is and what’s best for both sides. A fresh start might be the only answer.”

It’s a difficult pill to swallow for both May and the Dodgers. Drafted in the third round in 2016, May rose quickly through the system thanks to his lively arm and competitive makeup. His unique delivery and wicked two-seamer made him a standout from the moment he debuted in 2019. He was expected to be part of a new wave of Dodgers pitching dominance — the natural successor to the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.

But the injuries never stopped. A torn UCL in 2021 led to Tommy John surgery, and just as he was regaining form in 2023, more elbow trouble shut him down again. The Dodgers, known for their meticulous player development, stayed patient — perhaps too patient. Now, the reality is that May is not the pitcher they hoped he would become, and the Dodgers cannot afford to keep waiting while in the middle of a championship window.

May’s body language on the mound also tells a story. Frustration boils over more frequently now. His trademark fire has been replaced by a visible lack of confidence. Instead of challenging hitters, he nibbles at the corners. Instead of trusting his stuff, he hesitates. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about a pitcher who looks mentally and physically exhausted by the grind of trying to return to form.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers are flush with options. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Gavin Stone have all impressed. Bobby Miller is still viewed as a long-term cornerstone, and there’s more help coming up from the farm system. Simply put, there’s no room — or reason — to keep May on the roster if he can’t regain his elite-level impact. Add in his escalating arbitration cost and dwindling trade value, and the Dodgers are facing a “sell-low” scenario that might be their only remaining move.

The likely scenario? An offseason trade where the Dodgers either swap May for another distressed asset, or package him with a prospect to offload his salary and open up a roster spot. There’s also the possibility that he’s non-tendered — an unthinkable outcome a year ago, but one that is quietly being discussed internally.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has remained diplomatic in public, but there’s little doubt the coaching staff has begun planning for a 2026 rotation without May.

“Dustin is working hard. He’s a competitor. He knows he’s not where he wants to be, but we’re sticking with him,” Roberts said after a recent blow-up outing. But when pressed about May’s long-term role, he offered only, “We’ll evaluate everything this offseason.”

That tells you all you need to know.

May, for his part, hasn’t commented much on his struggles. After his latest start — a 4-inning, 7-run disaster against the Giants — he declined to speak with reporters. Those close to him say he’s aware of what’s likely coming. He’s reportedly already preparing mentally for a new chapter elsewhere and views a departure from Los Angeles as both painful and potentially liberating.

It’s unclear what kind of market May will have. Teams are always intrigued by former top prospects with high-octane arms, and May still flashes enough stuff to tempt a pitching-needy franchise. A smaller-market team or a rebuilding club like the Tigers, Nationals, or Rockies might take a flyer. But he will likely have to accept a prove-it deal or a bullpen role to start. In many ways, the next phase of May’s career might mirror that of fellow former Dodger Ross Stripling — someone who had to reinvent himself elsewhere after being squeezed out of L.A.’s rotation factory.

Still, there’s a slim chance May rebounds. Pitchers with his arm talent don’t disappear overnight, and if he can stay healthy for a full offseason and rework his mechanics, a turnaround isn’t impossible. But that turnaround almost certainly won’t happen in Dodger Blue.

In a year when the Dodgers have once again asserted themselves as World Series contenders, they cannot afford to carry passengers. The expectations are simply too high, the roster spots too valuable. The reality is that Dustin May — once the future — is now a cautionary tale.

Perhaps the saddest part of all is what could have been. If May had stayed healthy, there’s little doubt he would have played a major role in multiple postseason runs. His combination of velocity, movement, and competitive fire made him one of the most exciting arms in baseball. But the game is cruel, and potential often goes unfulfilled.

Now, barring a miraculous turnaround in the next two months, the curtain is closing on Dustin May’s Dodgers career. He won’t get a farewell tour. He may not even get another start. But when the final chapter is written, fans and teammates will remember the red-headed fireballer who once brought hope, flash, and fury every time he took the mound.

The reality now? The flame has dimmed, the Dodgers are moving on, and May’s guarantee of an offseason departure feels etched in stone.