Dodgers’ pitcher Dustin May, known for battling elbow injuries, will sit out the 2024 season after an unexpected curveball: esophagus surgery following a painful dinner discovery.

May's setback came as an unforeseen twist in his injury-prone career, adding esophagus surgery to a catalog already featuring Tommy John and flexor tendon surgeries. This not only sidelines him for the season but leaves an already beleaguered Dodgers' pitching rotation stretching even thinner. The team's medical staff, already familiar with May's elbow, now have another part of his anatomy to study, ensuring an unexpected, if unappetizing, addition to their expertise.

Dustin May first felt the discomfort after a seemingly innocent dinner, feeling an unusual pain that led to the discovery of a tear in his esophagus. This condition has a long recovery period, and unfortunately, it means he will be out for the entire 2024 season. Well, it looks like May’s dinner plans for next year are strictly soup and smoothies.

The excruciatingly mundane nature of his injury is a baffling new chapter in the chronicles of Dustin May. Just as the pitcher was inching closer to a comeback from a right flexor strain and UCL sprain, he now has to digest the unfortunate reality of another surgery. With this new development, thoughts of a rehab assignment have been left on the back burner.

May’s injury-riddled career reads like an overcooked medical manual. Having undergone Tommy John surgery in 2021, and a flexor tendon injury earlier this year, he’s become quite familiar with the surgeon’s table. Despite these setbacks, May had shown flashes of brilliance since making his Major League debut in 2019, boasting a solid 3.10 ERA and 174 strikeouts across 34 career starts.

But it seems even the most promising talent can't escape the randomness of life’s ailments. The Dodgers had last seen May on the mound in May 2023, and were hopeful that he could bolster their rotation again soon. His absence now leaves a significant hole in a pitching staff already plagued by injuries. The team’s depth, precariously patchy, faces yet another test of resilience — as if they needed any more practice!

With the collective groans from the Dodgers’ fanbase echoing through the empty stands, it's hard not to feel a twinge of empathy. The rotation has been a veritable carousel of ailments this season, with seemingly every pitcher donning a new medical bracelet as a badge of honor.

While it's a tough pill to swallow for both May and the Dodgers, the organization has no choice but to play it safe and prioritize his long-term health. Whether it’s elbow ligaments or esophagi, the human body has a way of reminding athletes and fans alike that there's no predicting the next curveball—or dinner plan—that could send even the most seasoned pro back to the dugout for an extended timeout.