Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

How Dodgers Pitcher Dustin May’s Bizarre Salad Mishap Led to Emergency Surgery

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alvin Garcia | Last updated Feb 16, 2025 3:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May has faced numerous obstacles in his career, but none more unexpected than the one that sidelined him last July, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Just weeks away from completing his rehab from a second Tommy John surgery, May suffered a freak injury—not on the field, but at the dinner table. A simple bite of salad resulted in a life-threatening esophagus tear, requiring emergency surgery and extending his time away from baseball.

May, who had been preparing to return to the Dodgers’ rotation for the late-season playoff push, described the injury as a “complete freak accident.” After a piece of lettuce became lodged in his throat, his attempt to wash it down with water led to a tear in his esophagus, causing extreme pain and internal damage.

Initially dismissing the incident, he said his wife, Millie, insisted he go to the emergency room. There, doctors quickly determined the severity of the rupture, rushing him into surgery that night. May later acknowledged that without the operation, he likely would not have survived until morning.

Instead of finishing his rehab from elbow surgery, May spent the following months recovering from an abdominal procedure that left him unable to lift more than 10 pounds for half a year. He has only returned to full strength in recent weeks, working toward making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.

As spring training unfolds, May is back in the mix for the team’s fifth rotation spot. Competing against Tony Gonsolin and others, he aims to reclaim his place in a starting staff loaded with talent. His journey back has been anything but ordinary, but May is determined to turn a bizarre setback into a triumphant return.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: