Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May, once a heralded prospect with electric stuff, finds himself at a critical juncture in his career. After a challenging 2025 season marked by inconsistency and a return from significant injuries, the team has reportedly moved him from the starting rotation to the bullpen, all while his name swirls in trade deadline speculation. This confluence of events paints a picture of a talented pitcher fighting to reclaim his form and a team weighing its options for a championship run.
The 2025 season has been a difficult one for the 27-year-old. In 19 appearances, including 18 starts, May has posted a 6-7 record with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 104.0 innings, according to statistics from Baseball-Reference. His struggles were highlighted in a July 11 start against the San Francisco Giants, where he was tagged for seven earned runs in just 4.2 innings. Following a string of such outings, the Dodgers announced on July 30 that May would be shifted to a bulk relief role, a significant change for a pitcher who has started 52 of his 65 career games.
This move coincides with increasing trade chatter as the deadline approaches. According to a report from Sports Illustrated, MLB insider Bob Nightengale indicated that the Dodgers are making May available to other teams. The rationale is multifaceted: May is set to become a free agent after the season, and with other key pitchers expected to return from injury, he may not factor into the team’s postseason roster. With a high demand for starting pitching across the league, the Dodgers could capitalize on his value to acquire immediate help, reportedly targeting bullpen or outfield reinforcements.
May’s journey to this point has been fraught with physical setbacks. His career has been repeatedly interrupted by major injuries, starting with Tommy John surgery in May 2021. After returning in late 2022, he was sidelined again by back tightness. In May 2023, he suffered a right flexor pronator strain that ultimately required surgery on his flexor tendon and a revision to his UCL, ending his season. His comeback was further delayed when he missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing emergency surgery for a life-threatening esophageal tear, as detailed on his Wikipedia page.
This injury history is a stark contrast to the immense promise May showed early in his career. Nicknamed “Gingergaard” for his fiery red hair and resemblance to Noah Syndergaard, May was a key contributor to the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship team. Armed with a blistering sinker and a sharp cutter, he compiled a career 3.71 ERA, showcasing the potential of a top-of-the-rotation arm. His return to the mound in 2025 was a testament to his resilience, but the results have yet to match his previous form.
As the trade deadline looms, the future for Dustin May is uncertain. He could remain with the Dodgers and work to find his command in a new bullpen role, or he could soon be wearing a different uniform, tasked with helping another contender reach the postseason. For both May and the Dodgers, the coming days will be pivotal in defining the next chapter of his career and shaping the team’s path forward.
