Dustin May will pitch for the Boston Red Sox for the first time on Wednesday in a game against the Kansas City Royals. The 27-year-old is expected to take the No. 5 spot in Boston’s starting rotation, joining a strong group led by AL Cy Young contender Garrett Crochet and supported by Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and May’s former Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Walker Buehler. This debut marks a new chapter for May after his recent trade from the Dodgers.
May Describes Feeling ‘Pushed Out’ Before His Trade to Boston
May revealed that his departure from the Dodgers was not entirely voluntary, explaining he felt “pushed out” prior to the trade. With a crowded Dodgers pitching staff, opportunities for May had become limited. He expressed mixed emotions about leaving a team where he began his career but said he was excited to join the Red Sox and contribute to their playoff aspirations.
“I was kind of pushed out,”
the right-hander said, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
“We had quite a few guys there in that organization. I couldn’t be more excited. It’s thrill to be here and be a part of it.”
Competitive Dodgers Rotation Led to Reduced Role for May
The Dodgers recently activated two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell from the injured list, further strengthening an already deep rotation. Alongside Snell, the team features Clayton Kershaw, 2025 All-Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 2024 All-Star Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation. With Snell’s return, May was expected to be moved to the bullpen if he stayed with Los Angeles, limiting his role as a starter.
Career Background and Performance Stats
Selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, May made his major league debut in August 2019. This season, he has made a career-high 18 starts, pitching 104 innings and posting a 6-7 record with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. His tenure with the Dodgers has been a journey full of highs and lows, and now the move to Boston offers a fresh start.
“It was definitely a ride of emotions, up and down. Definitely sad leaving because I’ve been there for my whole career, but definitely very, very excited to be joining this organization and hope for a playoff push,”
May shared with Cotillo.
What This Move Means for May and the Red Sox
Dustin May’s arrival adds depth to the Red Sox pitching staff as they look to boost their rotation and strengthen their postseason chances. For May, the change represents an opportunity to regain a starting role and prove his value on a new team. His experience with elite pitchers like Buehler and Kershaw, now complemented by the Boston roster, positions him for a promising next phase in his career.