May aims to secure a position in the Dodgers' pitching rotation, which may include stars like Shohei Ohtani and Blake Snell, as he was cleared for full-strength training in January 2026.

Since his MLB debut in 2019, May has struggled with injuries, making only 46 appearances and holding a career record of 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA.

Dustin May, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced a serious health scare in July 2024 after choking on a piece of lettuce during dinner.

At the time, May was recovering from Tommy John revision surgery and was close to rejoining the team when the incident occurred.

Initially dismissing the intense pain he felt after swallowing, May's wife, Millie, urged him to seek medical attention, leading to a CT scan that revealed a severe tear in his esophagus.

The situation escalated quickly, and May underwent emergency surgery that evening, which he described as a rare and critical procedure, stating he likely wouldn't have survived the night without it.

Doctors confirmed the severity of the rupture, necessitating what May referred to as 'essentially a full abdominal surgery,' which added an additional six months to his recovery timeline.

As a result of the surgery, May had to restart his rehabilitation process, delaying his return to the Dodgers and causing him to miss the entire 2024 baseball season.

This also meant he was unable to join the team during their World Series victory.

Reflecting on the experience, May emphasized how quickly life can change due to unexpected events, gaining a newfound perspective on life and appreciation for the game.

As of February 2025, May is on track to return to the Dodgers' lineup by opening day, although he acknowledges he must prove his readiness to play.

He was restricted from lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for six months and could only begin light throwing again in November 2025.