The Los Angeles Dodgers are contemplating a trade involving right-handed pitcher Dustin May as the MLB trade deadline nears, according to reports from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Fabian Ardaya has echoed similar assessments, noting that the Dodgers have previously traded starting pitchers at the deadline in consecutive years, including James Paxton and Noah Syndergaard.
Current Pitching Staff Depth and Injuries Influence Roster Moves
The Dodgers roster features a deep group of starters, though injuries have sidelined several key players. Despite this, May ranks second on the team in innings pitched (99) and starts (17), with Clayton Kershaw being the only other Dodger to exceed ten starts this season. Recently, the team regained Tyler Glasnow from the injured list, and Shohei Ohtani has resumed pitching, though his outings remain limited to under three innings per start.
Emmet Sheehan made a successful return to the mound in mid-June following Tommy John surgery, delivering promising performances. Additionally, Blake Snell is nearing a return, having made three rehab starts with improving pitch counts; he has allowed only two runs over nine innings and demonstrated an impressive 17-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Trade Strategy Balancing Rotation Needs and Bullpen Enhancements
The Dodgers are actively seeking to strengthen their bullpen by targeting high-caliber relievers. However, May is unlikely to serve as a central trade asset in acquiring elite arms such as Emmanuel Clase, Ryan Helsley, or Jhoan Duran from other teams. As May will enter free agency after the season, contenders favoring a sell strategy are not expected to pursue him.
Nonetheless, trading May could facilitate acquiring relievers through a one-for-one exchange with teams needing starting pitching or provide additional prospects to bolster the Dodgers’ farm system if they pursue significant additions elsewhere.
Dustin May’s Role and Performance Amid Injury Recovery and Future Considerations
It is notable that the Dodgers have not simply transitioned May into a bullpen role, which he would likely prefer to avoid. At 27 years old, May is returning from a season lost to flexor surgery rehabilitation and esophageal surgery. While there is no indication May opposes moving to the bullpen, it is arguably in his best interest to maintain a starting pitcher workload in this contract year. His most recent appearance included 4 2/3 innings of long relief following Ohtani.
May has posted mixed results during the 2025 season. His 99 innings pitched represent a career-high in the majors for the injury-prone pitcher. Through early June, May’s statistics showed promise, featuring a 4.09 ERA, 24.2% strikeout rate, and 8.5% walk rate. However, his performance has declined since June 9, with a 5.79 ERA, 17.2% strikeout rate, and 12.4% walk rate over 37 1/3 innings. Despite a consistent velocity, May is navigating the challenges of his largest workload and first full season back after absence, which partly explains the struggles.
Contextualizing the Trade Deadline Decision for the Dodgers and May
Selling May now would represent a low return on investment, given his recent difficulties and impending free agency, during which he is unlikely to receive a qualifying offer. The alternative strategy would be to keep him for the remainder of the season, accepting that the team may lose him without compensation afterward.
If the Dodgers wish to support May’s development as a starter and provide him an opportunity to continue in that role, a trade before the deadline may be the best course of action. This move could allow the Dodgers to balance their bullpen needs while giving May a chance to establish himself in a rotation elsewhere.