The St. Louis Cardinals may soon be forced to make an important decision regarding their starting rotation after right-hander Dustin May endured a frightening injury scare during Thursday’s matchup against the Atlanta Braves. Although the initial reports have been encouraging, the organization is already evaluating contingency plans in case one of its most reliable starters is unable to make his next scheduled appearance.
May’s outing was abruptly interrupted in the opening inning when he was struck by a sharply hit comebacker that sent concern through the Cardinals’ dugout and fanbase alike. The incident immediately raised fears of a potentially serious injury, particularly given the velocity of the ball and the vulnerable position of a pitcher following a delivery.
Fortunately for St. Louis, early evaluations brought encouraging news. According to veteran Cardinals reporter Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, there were no immediate signs of any fractures or structural damage, easing concerns that May could face an extended absence. While that represents the best possible outcome under the circumstances, the club has yet to determine whether the veteran right-hander will be healthy enough to take the mound for his next scheduled start.
With uncertainty still surrounding May’s availability, the Cardinals have an obvious and logical replacement waiting in the wings.
If May is forced to miss even a single turn through the rotation, Hunter Dobbins appears to be the most prepared option currently pitching at Triple-A.
The 25-year-old has quietly assembled a productive campaign in the minor leagues, posting a respectable 3.79 ERA across 12 starts while demonstrating consistent command and the ability to work deep into games. His performances have kept him firmly on the Cardinals’ radar as one of the organization’s top rotation depth options.
Dobbins has also already shown he can compete at the major league level this season. In four appearances with St. Louis, he has recorded a solid 3.63 ERA, providing quality innings whenever the Cardinals have called upon him. Those outings have strengthened the club’s confidence that he can step into the rotation with minimal adjustment if necessary.
St. Louis acquired Dobbins from the Boston Red Sox during the offseason as part of the trade involving veteran catcher Willson Contreras. At the time of the deal, the Cardinals viewed the young right-hander as a pitcher with significant upside despite the challenges he faced during the previous year.
His promising rookie campaign in 2025 was unfortunately cut short after suffering a torn ACL, forcing the organization to carefully manage his workload during Spring Training as he completed his recovery. Rather than rushing him back into a major league role, the Cardinals elected to build up his innings gradually at Triple-A.
That patient approach now appears to be paying off.
Dobbins has steadily regained both his velocity and confidence, putting together a string of dependable outings that suggest he is fully prepared should St. Louis require another starter.
The scheduling also aligns well for a potential promotion.
Dobbins most recently pitched on June 30 against the Charlotte Knights, leaving him on normal rest and perfectly positioned to slot into the Cardinals’ rotation early next week if the organization decides May needs additional recovery time.
Having a starter already lined up on schedule eliminates the need for emergency bullpen games or major alterations to the pitching staff, making Dobbins the easiest and most practical solution.
The timing of May’s injury scare could hardly be worse.
St. Louis has entered what many inside the organization view as the defining portion of its regular season schedule—a demanding 14-game stretch against several National League contenders, including the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cardinals successfully opened that difficult run by taking two of three games from Atlanta, providing valuable momentum. However, the schedule only becomes more challenging from here, making every game increasingly important in both the division race and the National League Wild Card standings.
Maintaining stability within the starting rotation will be essential if the Cardinals hope to continue their climb.
Although Dobbins appears to be the frontrunner, the Cardinals are not lacking alternatives.
The organization could also consider promoting promising left-hander Brycen Mautz or highly regarded pitching prospect Quinn Mathews if additional reinforcements become necessary. Both pitchers have generated attention within the farm system and possess the talent to contribute at the major league level.
Still, based on recent performance, experience, and readiness, Dobbins represents the most logical first choice if May cannot answer the bell for his next assignment.
For now, the Cardinals remain optimistic regarding May’s condition after the encouraging medical updates following Thursday’s incident. Avoiding a serious injury was undoubtedly the best possible outcome for both the pitcher and the club.
Nevertheless, the coaching staff and front office cannot afford to assume everything will return to normal immediately. Even if imaging reveals no significant damage, lingering soreness or swelling could easily prompt the team to skip one start as a precaution.
Preparing Dobbins for a potential call-up allows the Cardinals to protect one of their most valuable starters without sacrificing competitiveness during a crucial point in the season.
Following Thursday’s victory, St. Louis improved to 45-39, remaining third in the National League Central. While they trail the division-leading club by 7½ games, they continue to occupy the third National League Wild Card position, keeping themselves firmly in postseason contention.
With every game carrying increasing significance, the Cardinals know they cannot afford instability in the rotation. Whether Dustin May is cleared to pitch or Hunter Dobbins is asked to step into the spotlight, the club’s ability to navigate this challenging stretch could play a major role in determining its playoff fate later this season.
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