Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Boston Red Sox officially acquired pitcher Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, 2025, just before the MLB trade deadline.
The trade involved outfielder prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard, who were sent to the Dodgers in exchange.
This move marked a new chapter for May, known for his fast pitching and lengthy injury history.
For the Dodgers, the decision was based on a surplus of starting pitchers and May's contract status, which would have made him a free agent after the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox saw great potential in May to bolster their starting rotation, despite his recent return from a series of serious injuries.
This acquisition was expected to provide much-needed depth for the remainder of the season and the team's future.
Trade Analysis: Why Did the Red Sox and Dodgers Make This Trade?
The Dustin May trade to the Boston Red Sox was a strategic move for both parties.
The Dodgers received outfielder prospect James Tibbs III, a first-round pick of the Giants who was later traded to the Red Sox, and Zach Ehrhard, a fourth-round pick of the Red Sox last year.
This allowed the Dodgers to add prospect depth, especially since May was in the final year of his contract and no longer part of their starting rotation plans.
From the Red Sox's perspective, the acquisition of May was an attempt to bolster their rotation, which had often struggled with depth, particularly at the fifth starter position.
Despite May's history of injuries and inconsistent performance, the Red Sox saw significant potential in him as a long-term asset for their pitching staff.
The trade came amid a relatively weak starting pitcher market, giving the Dodgers an opportunity to extract value from May before he became a free agent.
For May, the move potentially gave him a chance to return to a full-time starting role on a team in need of his contributions, while also proving himself after a string of injuries.
Dustin May's Profile and Career Journey
Dustin Jake May, born on September 6, 1997, in Justin, Texas, is a right-handed pitcher who has attracted attention from the start of his career.
He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, showing promising potential from a young age.
May made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on August 2, 2019, quickly becoming a valuable asset for the Dodgers.
His career peak came in 2020, when he helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series title, a significant achievement early in his career.
Known for his lethal sinker and curveball, May has shown flashes of dominance on the mound.
However, his career has also been marred by unexpected challenges, primarily related to health issues.
Dustin May's Injury and Contract Storm
Dustin May's career has been plagued by a series of serious injuries that have hampered his development.
In 2021, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, a major blow for the pitcher.
After recovering from Tommy John surgery, May faced another injury challenge.
In May 2023, he underwent surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his arm.
Most recently, in July 2024, May underwent surgery to repair a torn esophagus, an injury unrelated to baseball that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
Despite his injury history, the Dodgers retained May.
He agreed to a $2.135 million contract for 2024 through salary arbitration and then signed a similar contract for 2025, avoiding arbitration.
May is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season, adding urgency to the Dodgers' strategic decision.
Recent Performance and Role Changes at Dodgers
The 2025 season marked Dustin May's return to the Major League pitch after a series of injuries.
He made his first start on April 1, 2025, against the Atlanta Braves, demonstrating his determination to return to competing at the highest level.
Through July 2025, May had a 6-7 record with a 4.85 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 104 innings pitched.
These statistics indicated a performance still seeking consistency after a long absence, but still demonstrated his ability to record strikeouts.
On July 30, 2025, the Dodgers announced that May would lose his spot in the starting rotation and would be moved to a bulk relief role.
This decision was made due to the return of star pitchers like Blake Snell, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow, creating a surplus in the Dodgers' starting rotation and limiting May's role.