Dustin May, the fiery 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher known for his electric arm and vibrant red hair, has been traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox, marking the end of a significant chapter in his career. The announcement, made just before the MLB trade deadline on July 31, 2025, was met with an emotional farewell from the Dodgers, who celebrated May’s contributions to their 2020 and 2024 World Series championships. The trade, which sent outfield prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard to Los Angeles, reflects a strategic move for both teams as the Red Sox bolster their rotation and the Dodgers deepen their prospect pool. May’s journey, from a promising rookie to a battle-tested starter, is a testament to his resilience amid a career punctuated by injuries.
May, now 27, debuted with the Dodgers in 2019, quickly earning a reputation for his high-octane pitching arsenal, including a 98-mph two-seam fastball with sinker-like movement and a devastating sweeper. In 2020, he played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ World Series run, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in 12 regular-season appearances and pitching in seven postseason games, including two in the World Series. His 2024 season was cut short by an esophageal tear, but he returned in 2025 with a career-high 104 innings pitched, going 6-7 with a 4.85 ERA and 97 strikeouts across 19 appearances. Despite a challenging season, his ability to limit hard contact and induce ground balls made him an attractive target for Boston, where he’s expected to slot into the back of a rotation featuring Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and former Dodger Walker Buehler.
The trade, reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, came as the Dodgers’ rotation regained health with the return of Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell. May’s preference to remain a starter, confirmed through “respectful conversations” with Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes, prompted the move, as Los Angeles saw limited opportunities for him in their crowded rotation. “We felt he could’ve been an impact piece in the bullpen, but starting was important to him,” Gomes said, emphasizing that May didn’t request the trade. The Red Sox, sitting at 59-51 and 1.5 games behind the AL Wild Card leader, view May as a low-risk, high-reward addition, despite his impending free agency at season’s end and a history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2021 and a revision procedure in 2023.
Boston’s acquisition of May, alongside left-hander Steven Matz from St. Louis, signals a pragmatic approach by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to strengthen pitching depth for a postseason push. “Dustin limits hard contact and keeps the ball on the ground, which will play well at Fenway,” Breslow noted. However, the trade has sparked mixed reactions. Some Red Sox fans, expecting bigger names like Joe Ryan or Merrill Kelly, expressed disappointment on X, with posts calling the deadline “underwhelming.” Others see May’s 21.5% strikeout rate and premium stuff as a potential steal, especially for a rotation needing stability after Tanner Houck’s injury.
For the Dodgers, parting with May, affectionately nicknamed “Gingergaard” for his resemblance to Noah Syndergaard, was bittersweet. Their tribute on Instagram highlighted his energy and championship pedigree, with fans flooding comments with gratitude. “D May brought it every time,” one wrote, while another lamented, “Hate to see him go, but Boston’s getting a warrior.” In return, Los Angeles acquired Tibbs, a 2024 first-round pick who struggled in Double-A Portland (.207/.319/.267), and Ehrhard, a speedy outfielder with a .270/.371/.434 line across High-A and Double-A. Both prospects, ranked No. 5 and No. 27 in Boston’s system, offer long-term potential for a Dodgers team balancing present and future needs.
May’s career has been a rollercoaster of promise and setbacks. A third-round pick in 2016, he bypassed a Texas Tech commitment for a $1 million signing bonus with the Dodgers. His 2020 Opening Day start, filling in for an injured Kershaw, marked him as a future star, but injuries—two elbow surgeries and an esophageal procedure—have limited him to 61 MLB games. His recent start against Boston on July 27, where he allowed four runs in a 4-3 loss, showcased both his potential and inconsistency, retiring nine straight before a three-run fifth inning unraveled his outing.
As May embarks on this new chapter with Boston, his story resonates as one of perseverance. With a chance to prove himself in a pennant race, the two-time champion carries the weight of expectations and the hope of rediscovering his early-career brilliance. Dodgers fans will miss his fiery presence, but Boston fans are eager to see if “Big Red” can ignite their postseason dreams.
