May's Ankle Injury Scare
Dustin May exits early with ankle contusion; X-rays negative, next start questionable
Key Points
Dominic Smith's 91.6 mph line drive struck May's right ankle in the first inning, deflected off him and became a three-run double to push Atlanta in front 4-3.
Even after the injury, May remained in the game and faced three more hitters, allowing an RBI single to Austin Riley, a sacrifice fly to Mike Yastrzemski and another single to Jim Jarvis before leaving for the bullpen.
Jordan Walker hit a three-run homer in the first inning to give St. Louis an early edge before May's exit.
Justin Bruihl was brought in to start the Cardinals' bullpen after May left the game, retiring Drake Baldwin on a groundout to end the inning.
Dustin May left Thursday's game against Atlanta after just two-thirds of an inning when a 91.6 mph line drive struck his right ankle in the first inning, according to CBS Sports. X-rays came back negative, ruling out a fracture, but swelling and pain now cloud whether he can make his next start.
The St. Louis Cardinals still won 11-5, but May's early exit leaves the rotation in an uncertain spot. He had already skipped his last turn due to back tightness, and now a new injury adds more pressure to an already taxing schedule, STL Today reported.
Line Drive Strikes May's Ankle in First Inning
Atlanta's Dominic Smith hit a sharp comebacker that hit May's right ankle in the first inning. The ball deflected off him and became a three-run double, pushing the Braves in front 4-3, according to Clutch Points. It was a brutal twist — the same hit that hurt May also drove in three runs.
Even after taking the blow, May stayed in the game. He faced three more hitters — giving up an RBI single to Austin Riley, a sacrifice fly to Mike Yastrzemski, and another single to Jim Jarvis — before finally walking off. He allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in his brief outing, per CBS Sports.
Negative X-Rays Offer Hope but No Clear Timeline
X-rays showed no fracture, which is good news. But May described the ankle and shin area as "soft and painful," according to STL Today. He said his pain tolerance and how much the swelling goes down will decide when he can return.
Manager Oli Marmol said the team needs to assess May further before knowing if he can take his next scheduled turn. The injury adds fresh uncertainty to a rotation already stretched thin, STL Today reported. May will need further evaluation before any decision is made.
Walker's Homer Sparked a Cardinals Offensive Explosion
Before May's injury derailed the start, the Cardinals jumped ahead. Jordan Walker crushed a three-run home run in the first inning to give St. Louis an early lead. The Cardinals' bats stayed hot the rest of the night, powering an 11-5 win despite losing their starter after just two-thirds of an inning, per SI.
Justin Bruihl stepped in right after May left. He retired Drake Baldwin on a groundout to end the first inning. The Cardinals' bullpen then carried the load for 8.1 innings the rest of the way, finishing off one of the team's biggest wins of the season, according to SI.
Back Issue and Busy Schedule Add to May's Woes
This was May's first start back after missing a turn due to back tightness. The Cardinals had already shuffled their rotation to give him extra rest. May said his back felt fine Thursday and that he felt rested overall — but he admitted he wasn't as sharp as he wanted to be, per STL Today.
Now the team faces a tough call. May is dealing with a second straight issue in a short span. With a busy schedule ahead, the Cardinals must decide quickly whether to give him more time or find another solution for his next start, according to Clutch Points.
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