Despite the 2020 season being shortened to 60 games, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts maintained their organizational depth would prove just as key as it does during a normal campaign.
That wound up immediately coming into focus when Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Opening Day start due to back discomfort. Dustin May, who had been optioned to the club’s alternate training site, was recalled for the season opener.
May remained an integral part of the starting rotation even after Kershaw returned from the 10-day injured list. The Dodgers also relied on the likes of Tony Gonsolin and Victor Gonzalez, and Kiké Hernandez and Edwin Rios, among others, on the position-player side.
After being part of a World Series season, May has reportedly changed representation by moving on from MSM Sports to Paragon Sports International, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
Dustin May has hired Paragon to represent him
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 29, 2020
May went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA, 165 ERA+ and 1.09 WHIP in 12 games (10 starts) this season. He was primarily utilized as a relief pitcher, starting three of seven postseason games. Though, each of those starts was only as an opener.
May was sharp in his first postseason appearance but then struggled as he continued to pitch on short rest in subsequent games. Roberts nonetheless maintained confidence in the right-hander, and May wound up getting back on track in Game 5 of the World Series.
To his credit, the 23-year-old willingly accepted any role the Dodgers asked and made himself available to pitch however frequent the club needed.
May enjoyed homecoming
With MLB utilizing bubbles for the postseason, the Dodgers spent the majority of October at Globe Life Field, which wasn’t far from May’s hometown.
“It’s something that I dreamed about as a kid, being here in Arlington and throwing in big games,” he said during the World Series. “I grew up a Rangers fan, so being able to be in the new stadium is pretty cool.
“I’ve had a lot of friends and family be able to come out. My mom and dad have been to every single game, so that’s been really nice to have them here supporting me and being able to come and watch. It’s been really fun for them.”
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