LOS ANGELES -- Dustin May is headed to the injured list with a right flexor pronator strain after leaving the Dodgers¡¯ 7-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium after just one inning.

The right-hander threw 16 pitches in a scoreless first, and his velocity was down across his arsenal, with his sinker averaging 94.7 mph, two miles per hour below his season average. He underwent an MRI after leaving the game, and will need additional testing to determine the extent of his injury. It¡¯s not clear how long May might be out, though manager Dave Roberts suggested a month as being ¡°fair as a floor.¡±

¡°Coming out of his last start, he felt that there was just normal soreness like any starting pitcher has,¡± said Roberts. ¡°And obviously, he felt good enough to make the start. And then after that first inning, the velocity wasn't there and I saw him kind of moving his hand and those are the signs that something's not right.¡±

? Outman's slam powers Dodgers to 6th straight series win

Wednesday marked May¡¯s 15th start since undergoing Tommy John surgery two years ago. He missed most of the 2021 and ¡®22 seasons as a result of the procedure. In ¡®23, May was starting to look like the pitcher he was prior to the operation, entering Wednesday with a 2.68 ERA in eight starts while leading qualified National League pitchers with the lowest hits per nine innings (5.4) and home runs per nine innings (0.2). He also led all Dodgers in bWAR, at 1.9.

¡°It's a big blow,¡± said Roberts. ¡°My first [thought] goes to Dustin and what he's had to go through. ¡­ Obviously, he was a big part of this year -- and he still could be. But right now, to have this speed bump with him, I know he's disappointed.¡±

Starting pitcher injuries have been a recurrent issue for the Dodgers this year. Tony Gonsolin began the season on the injured list with a sprained left ankle, missing nearly four weeks. Michael Grove is on the 15-day IL with a right groin strain, while Ryan Pepiot (left oblique strain) and Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) are on the 60-day IL.

Although the Dodgers are not ready to name a replacement for May, given those absences, they will probably need to turn to their farm system when his spot comes up on Monday in Atlanta.

Right-hander Gavin Stone is the most likely candidate, as he is on the 40-man roster and has already made a spot start for L.A. this year. In his Major League debut against the Phillies on May 3, the Dodgers¡¯ No. 4 prospect allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings. There¡¯s also Bobby Miller, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the organization¡¯s top pitching prospect, although he¡¯s struggled with Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting an 8.64 ERA through his first three starts.

Beyond the impact on the rotation, May¡¯s early exit also meant extra work for an already-taxed bullpen, as relievers had been responsible for 13 innings in the first two games of the series, including eight in Monday¡¯s 12-inning matchup. They got a big boost from Dylan Covey, whose contract was selected from Oklahoma City prior to the game. Covey took over for May and threw four-plus innings of two-run ball.

¡°Covey was great,¡± said Roberts. ¡°He was fantastic. ¡­ For him to go [four-plus] innings and keep us in the ballgame, give us a chance to win, was huge, and I couldn't be more happy for him and us.¡±

Covey¡¯s day ended after he allowed a home run then loaded the bases on two singles and a walk in the top of the sixth, though Victor Gonz¨¢lez was able to keep those runners from scoring and preserve his teammate¡¯s line.

Although the circumstances around it were suboptimal, Covey¡¯s appearance was huge for him on a personal level. The right-hander hadn¡¯t pitched in the Majors since 2020, having spent the past two seasons pitching in Taiwan¡¯s CPBL. And to make his return with the Dodgers of all teams was particularly meaningful for the native of Pasadena, Calif.

¡°Today was really special,¡± said Covey. ¡°I mean, I grew up 15 minutes up the road. I grew up a Dodger fan. A couple of years ago, I didn't ever think I'd be back in this situation. But yeah, it's really special playing for the hometown team. My family's here and got to see me, so just special.¡±