Dustin May, Andrew Painter to Miss Rest of Season With Elbow Procedures

Two young National League pitchers will not pitch for the remainder of the season after troubling news regarding their UCL in their elbows. 

Dustin May Injury Analysis

Dodgers’ righty Dustin May, who last pitched on May 17, underwent a UCL revision surgery to correct residual discomfort that was appearing in his flexor tendon. His surgery amounts to Tommy John plus an associated ligament, putting his timeline at a minimum of 12 months, according to the Pro Baseball Docs.

The surgery news is a tough blow for a Dodgers team that is already without Walker Buehler. May underwent his original Tommy John surgery in May 2021, but it never fully healed. He made just 6 starts last season and 9 starts this season before he was placed on the IL due to lingering discomfort.

May has an outside chance at returning late next season, but it’s more likely the Dodgers keep him out of the starting rotation until the 2025 season.

Andrew Painter Injury Analysis

The No. 8 prospect in baseball has not pitched this season and will undergo Tommy John surgery to fix damage to his UCL.

In March, the Pro Baseball Docs foreshadowed why Tommy John surgery was in Painter's near future. The Phillies attempted to let the damage heal on its own, but eventually opted for a more reliable recovery through a surgical procedure.

Painter will miss at least a year and likely won’t pitch until the start of 2025. The 20-year-old flamethrower had a 2.54 ERA in 5 starts last season in Double AA. He will presumably start their when he is ready to return and will undoubtedly get a spring training invite ahead of the 2025 season.

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