On August 1, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded pitcher Dustin May to the Boston Red Sox, marking the end of a nearly decade-long journey with the organization that drafted him in 2016. The trade, finalized just before the MLB trade deadline, sent shockwaves through the Dodgers’ fanbase, with May’s emotional farewell sparking heartfelt reactions across social media. The 27-year-old right-hander, known for his fiery presence and electric arm, couldn’t hold back tears as he addressed his departure, reflecting on his time in Los Angeles and offering advice to his teammates while hinting at his future with Boston.

May’s tenure with the Dodgers was a rollercoaster of triumph and adversity. Drafted out of Northwest High School in Texas, he debuted in 2019 and quickly became a fan favorite, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2020 and contributing to the Dodgers’ World Series title that year. His career, however, was plagued by injuries, including two major elbow surgeries—a Tommy John procedure in 2021 and a flexor tendon repair with Tommy John revision in 2023. A life-threatening esophageal tear in July 2024, caused by a freak incident involving a piece of lettuce, further derailed his progress, requiring emergency surgery. Despite these setbacks, May returned in 2025, posting a 6-7 record with a 4.85 ERA over a career-high 104 innings, showcasing his resilience with 97 strikeouts.

The trade to Boston came as the Dodgers’ rotation grew crowded with the return of Blake Snell and the emergence of young arms like Emmet Sheehan. May, in his final year before free agency, expressed a strong desire to remain a starter, a stance that influenced the Dodgers’ decision to trade him rather than move him to the bullpen. In a tearful goodbye shared via the Dodgers’ Instagram, May thanked the organization and fans, saying, “This place shaped me. I gave everything to this team, and I’ll carry those memories forever.” The Dodgers reciprocated, posting, “Two-time World Series champion, Dustin May. Thank you for being a part of two championships and bringing the energy every time you took the mound. Best of luck in Boston!” The post drew emotional responses from fans, with comments like, “Forever a Dodger, Dustin!” and “You’ll always have a home in LA.”

In his farewell, May offered poignant advice to his teammates, emphasizing resilience and perspective. “Keep grinding, no matter what life throws at you,” he said, reflecting on his own battles with injuries. “Baseball’s tough, but it’s nothing compared to almost not making it through the night. Stay focused, stay healthy, and don’t take a single pitch for granted.” His words resonated deeply, especially with younger pitchers like Bobby Miller and Landon Knack, who face similar pressures in the Dodgers’ talent-rich system. May’s emotional return to the mound earlier in 2025, after 685 days sidelined, had already endeared him to fans, with his first strikeout against the Padres in spring training drawing loud applause.

Looking ahead, May expressed optimism about his new chapter with the Red Sox, where he joins a rotation featuring Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, and former Dodger Walker Buehler. “I’m excited to keep starting and show what I can do,” May said, hinting at his goal to reestablish himself as a top-tier starter. Boston’s chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, praised May’s durability and potential, noting, “He feels good, and the stuff has continued to trend in the right direction.” With no workload restrictions anticipated, May aims to leverage his high-velocity fastball and devastating slider, which generated 20 inches of horizontal break in spring training, to anchor Boston’s playoff push.

Fans on X reflected mixed sentiments, with some speculating that May’s injuries and mental association with Los Angeles’ challenges made the trade a fresh start. “Hopefully, the change of scenery can clear his mind,” one user posted. As May prepares to face the Dodgers in future matchups, his legacy as a resilient, high-energy pitcher endures in Los Angeles, while his focus shifts to proving his worth in Boston and beyond.