Dustin May won’t start vs. Padres, but he’ll still ‘take down some innings’

In what might be an October preview, the Dodgers opted to use an opener ahead of Dustin May in Wednesday’s series finale against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego.

Brusdar Graterol starts for the Dodgers, though it’s not necessarily their second bullpen game in four days. Manager Dave Roberts said it’s possible we could see this kind of setup in the postseason, especially in games where the presumptive starter wouldn’t be expected to go much more than two times through the batting order.

“I just liked the idea with who they hit, their top three or four hitters. I love the matchup, getting him in there. [Graterol’s] rested,” Roberts said on a conference call Wednesday. “It’s basically just maximizing matchups. ... Each club is going to try to figure out the best way to get 27 outs.”

May was hit on his left foot by a liner last Thursday in Arizona, and a CT scan on Friday showed no fracture. After throwing a side session and participating in fielding drills on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, May was expected to start. Instead, he’ll pitch

“I expect Dustin to take down some innings, but when we deploy him remains to be seen,” Roberts said. “In this kind of situation where we have five starters that we like a lot, but there’s certain matchups you can benefit from, and maximize.”

It is more of a traditional bullpen day for the Padres, who start Adrian Morejón in the series finale. His season high in innings pitched in a game this season is three.

Notes

• Walker Buehler is not on the road trip with the Dodgers, and will not be activated from the injured list to pitch this weekend in Denver. Instead, he’ll throw a simulated game this weekend at the alternate training site at USC, roughly six innings and 90 pitches, and be activated to start once for the Dodgers in preparation for the wild card round.
• Joe Kelly was activated after serving his five-game suspension.
• Zach McKinstry’s agency tweeted that McKinstry was recalled by the Dodgers, though Roberts said a roster move hasn’t been made yet. If a roster move is made, the corresponding move will not be related to Caleb Ferguson, who is getting his MRI exam in Los Angeles Wednesday morning. Roberts did not want to disclose what that possible transaction may be.
• Kenley Jansen is unavailable Wednesday, Roberts said, after throwing 28 pitches Tuesday night, his third appearance in four days.

Game info

Time: 1:10 p.m.

TV: SportsNet LA, ESPN (out of market)