Dustin May Injury: What Happened?
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dustin May suffered a scary injury during his start against the New York Mets on August 26, 2026.
May faced just one batter before a 106 mph line drive from Mets prospect A.J. Ewing struck him in the upper back/right shoulder-blade area. The ball ricocheted toward third baseman David Hamilton, who completed the out. May immediately appeared to be in pain and eventually left the game.
The initial concern was significant because of the speed of the ball and the location of the impact. However, the Brewers later provided encouraging news.
Dustin May Hit by 106 MPH Line Drive
May’s start lasted only one pitch.
Ewing’s 106 mph liner hit May behind his right shoulder. May initially tried to remain in the game, but after throwing a few warm-up pitches, he was unable to continue.
The Brewers replaced him with left-hander Robert Gasser, who provided a lengthy relief appearance and helped Milwaukee defeat New York 8-1.
The incident was particularly frightening because pitchers have very little reaction time when a hard-hit ball comes directly back toward the mound.
What Is Dustin May’s Injury?
The Brewers diagnosed May with a right scapula contusion, essentially a bruise around the right shoulder blade.
The good news is that X-rays showed no fracture. Reuters reported that May was diagnosed with a bruised right shoulder blade after the line drive.
That means the initial examination did not reveal a broken bone. However, the Brewers will still need to monitor May’s condition, particularly his pain level and ability to throw.
Is Dustin May Hurt?
Yes. May was hurt after being struck by the line drive and was removed from the game.
At this stage, the available medical information is relatively positive because there was no fracture on the initial X-ray. The Brewers’ next steps will depend on how May feels during the following days.
A shoulder-blade contusion can still cause substantial soreness and restrict a pitcher’s ability to make a normal throwing motion. Therefore, his availability for his next scheduled start should depend on his recovery rather than simply the negative X-ray.
Dustin May Injury News Update
The latest update is that May avoided a fracture.
He was visibly uncomfortable after being hit, but the examination did not reveal a broken scapula. Milwaukee therefore has reason to be optimistic, although more updates could follow as the bruise develops and May tests his throwing shoulder.
For fantasy baseball managers and Brewers fans, the most important development will be whether May can resume throwing without significant discomfort.
Why Was Dustin May’s Injury So Concerning?
Pitchers are especially vulnerable to comebackers because they are positioned only about 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate.
A 106 mph line drive gives a pitcher very little time to react. May was struck before he could fully protect himself, making the immediate decision to remove him understandable.
Fortunately, the initial imaging did not show a fracture.
Dustin May’s Previous Injury History
The latest shoulder-blade injury is not the first major physical setback of May’s career.
May underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 after suffering an elbow injury. He eventually returned to the Dodgers in 2022 but later experienced another significant elbow problem.
In May 2023, May left a start after only one inning because of right elbow pain. An MRI revealed a flexor-pronator strain. He eventually required surgery involving his flexor tendon and a Tommy John revision, ending his 2023 season.
That history makes any new injury involving his throwing arm or shoulder an important development.
What Happened to Dustin May in 2024?
May’s comeback was interrupted again in 2024, but the problem was not another baseball injury.
While recovering from his elbow surgeries, May suffered a serious esophageal tear after food became lodged in his throat. He required emergency surgery and was hospitalized for 11 days.
The Dodgers subsequently announced that he would not pitch during the 2024 season.
May later described the incident as life-threatening. He returned to competitive pitching in 2025 after an extended recovery.
Dustin May and the Brewers
May joined Milwaukee during the 2026 season after the Brewers acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline.
The move gave Milwaukee another experienced starting option as it pushed toward the postseason.
Before his latest injury, May had made four starts for the Brewers, going 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA. Across the 2026 season, he entered the Mets game with a 6-8 record and a 4.56 ERA over 25 starts, according to Reuters.
Dustin May ESPN Update
ESPN has also featured May in its 2026 fantasy baseball coverage, including its pitching advice around his scheduled start against the Mets.
Because the injury happened after that pregame analysis, fantasy managers now need to watch for the Brewers’ next official update regarding his availability.
The most important information currently is:
- May was hit by a 106 mph line drive.
- He threw only one pitch.
- The ball struck his upper back/right shoulder-blade area.
- He left the game.
- X-rays were negative for a fracture.
- The diagnosis was a right scapula contusion.
- His next appearance will depend on his recovery.
Will Dustin May Miss His Next Start?
It is too early to say with certainty.
A negative X-ray is encouraging, but May is a starting pitcher, and throwing requires substantial movement of the shoulder and upper back. The Brewers will likely evaluate his pain and throwing ability before determining whether he can make his next scheduled start.
If he experiences significant soreness, Milwaukee could give him additional recovery time.
Dustin May News: What Comes Next?
The immediate focus is May’s recovery from the shoulder-blade contusion.
The Brewers avoided the worst-case scenario when X-rays showed no fracture. Still, the team will need to determine whether the injury affects May’s throwing mechanics.
Given May’s extensive injury history, Milwaukee is unlikely to take unnecessary risks with its starting pitcher.
Final Takeaway
So, what happened to Dustin May? The Brewers pitcher was struck in the upper back by a 106 mph line drive on the first pitch of his August 26 start against the Mets. He left the game after the scary incident.
The latest news is encouraging: X-rays were negative for a fracture, and May was diagnosed with a right scapula contusion.
His status for his next start remains something to monitor. For now, the available information suggests a painful injury rather than the major structural damage that was initially feared.
FAQs About Dustin May
What happened to Dustin May?
Dustin May was hit by a 106 mph line drive from A.J. Ewing during the first pitch of his start against the Mets on August 26, 2026. He left the game after the incident.
What is Dustin May’s injury?
May suffered a right scapula contusion, or bruise around the right shoulder blade. X-rays showed no fracture.
Did Dustin May get hit by a ball?
Yes. He was struck by a 106 mph line drive on his first pitch of the game.
Is Dustin May injured?
Yes. He left the Brewers-Mets game with a right scapula contusion.
Does Dustin May have a broken shoulder blade?
No. Initial X-rays were negative for a fracture.
What happened to Dustin May before this injury?
May has dealt with several major setbacks, including Tommy John surgery in 2021, another major elbow procedure in 2023 and emergency surgery for an esophageal tear in 2024.
Is Dustin May expected to return?
The initial absence timeline has not been established. His return will depend on how quickly the shoulder-blade contusion improves and whether he can throw comfortably.
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