(LOS ANGELES) — In a season where the Los Angeles Dodgers achieved ultimate glory, one player’s journey—cut short not by failure, but by relentless physical setbacks—has left Dodgers Nation emotional and inspired. That player is Dustin May.
Despite being traded to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline and missing the final two months of the season with right elbow neuritis, May’s presence, energy, and unwavering determination proved that a player’s impact isn’t measured only by games played, but by the heart they show in the face of adversity.
The Full Season, Defined by Injuries
The 2025 season was supposed to be May’s massive comeback, and in one sense, it was: he pitched a career-high 132.1 innings between the Dodgers and Red Sox, finally overcoming the endless cycle of major surgeries (Tommy John, elbow revision, esophagus repair) that plagued his early career.
But the emotional cost of that journey was immense:
- The Dodger Days (through July 31): May battled inconsistency in the Dodgers rotation, posting a 4.85 ERA over 104 innings. Fans knew his electric “Big Red” stuff was there, but the results were often volatile, showing the immense physical toll the comeback took.
- The Trade Shock: The Dodgers’ decision to trade May at the deadline to the Red Sox—a purely strategic move to save salary and acquire prospects—was met with an outpouring of emotion from fans who felt they were losing a piece of their original core.
- The Final Setback: Just weeks after the trade, May went on the injured list with right elbow neuritis, ending his season and ensuring he would not pitch in the playoffs for his new club.
The World Series Ring and The Emotional Lift
Despite the unceremonious ending with the Dodgers, May will receive a World Series ring for his contributions during the first half of the season. His comments following the final game showed the depth of his connection to his former teammates:
“They were all my boys. It was definitely very fun to watch. I was more sad that they (Red Sox) lost than I was more happy that they (Dodgers) won,” May said in November.
His comments underscored the powerful, intangible impact he had on the championship-winning clubhouse, even from afar. The long, difficult comeback May endured—throwing more innings in 2025 than in any season prior—became a quiet source of inspiration for a team dealing with its own injury issues.
Now a free agent and declaring himself “fully back to normal” with a healthy elbow, Dustin May’s journey stands as a powerful testament to grit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of pitching perfection.
