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Dustin May
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Dustin Jake May (born September 6, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. May was selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut in 2019. The Dodgers won the World Series with him in 2020.
Key Information
Early life and amateur career
[edit]May graduated from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] He was committed to play college baseball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but chose to sign with the Dodgers for a $1 million signing bonus,[2] forgoing his commitment.
Professional career
[edit]Los Angeles Dodgers
[edit]Minor leagues
[edit]After signing, May made his professional debut with the Arizona League Dodgers, and spent the whole season there, posting an 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 302⁄3 innings pitched.[3] In 2017, he played for both the Great Lakes Loons and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, compiling a combined 9-6 record, 3.63 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP in 25 games (24 starts) between the two clubs.[3] In 2018 for the Quakes, May was selected to the post-season California League all-star team.[4] On September 14, he started the Drillers' title clinching playoff game, in which he allowed two runs in five innings.[5] In 23 total starts between Rancho Cucamonga and Tulsa, May was 9-5 with a 3.39 ERA.[3]
May began 2019 with Tulsa.[6] He was selected to the mid-season Texas League All-Star Game[7] and the All-Star Futures Game.[8] May was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on June 27.[9] He was a combined 6-5 with a 4.13 ERA as he struck out 110 batters in 1062⁄3 innings.[3]
Major leagues
[edit]2019 season
[edit]May was called up to the majors on August 2, 2019, and made his major league debut for the Dodgers as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres.[10] He pitched 52⁄3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts. His first MLB strikeout was of Hunter Renfroe.[11] On August 13, May picked up his first big league win against the Miami Marlins after pitching 52⁄3 innings, allowing one run on three hits with five strikeouts.[12] He finished the season appearing in 14 games for the Dodgers (four starts), with a 2–3 record, a 3.63 ERA, and 32 strikeouts with only five walks.[13] He also pitched in 31⁄3 innings across two games for the Dodgers in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Washington Nationals, allowing one run on three hits.[13]
2020 season
[edit]May was selected to start for the Dodgers on Opening Day in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after Clayton Kershaw injured his back before the game. May became the youngest opening day starter for the Dodgers since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981.[14] He picked up his first win of the season on August 4, when he struck out eight in six innings against the San Diego Padres[15] and appeared in 12 games (10 starts) with a 3–1 record and 2.57 ERA in 56 innings.[13] His 99.1 mph-average four-seam fastball was the fastest four-seamer of any major league pitcher for the 2020 season.[16] He pitched three scoreless innings over two games in the 2020 NLDS against the San Diego Padres and allowed two earned runs in 42⁄3 innings over three games against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).[13] May pitched in two games of the 2020 World Series, working three total innings and allowing three runs to score on five hits.[13]
2021 season
[edit]May made five starts in 2021, with a 1–1 record and 2.74 ERA.[13] On May 1, he tore his UCL while throwing a pitch, requiring season ending Tommy John surgery, which he underwent on May 12.[17]
2022 season
[edit]On August 20, 2022, May made his first start after returning from his recovery and struck out nine while allowing only one hit in five scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins.[18] He pitched a total of six games for the Dodgers, with a 2–3 record and 4.50 ERA[13] before he was placed on the injured list with lower back tightness on September 24, ending his regular season.[19]
2023 season
[edit]May signed a $1.675 million contract with the Dodgers in his first year of salary arbitration.[20] In a May 17 start against the Minnesota Twins, he left the game after only one inning due to right elbow pain.[21] Following the game, he was diagnosed with a right flexor pronator strain.[22] He later received a platelet-rich plasma injection[23] and was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 23.[24] On July 4, it was announced that May would undergo surgery on the flexor tendon in his right elbow, as well as a Tommy John revision for a Grade 2 UCL sprain. The procedures meant he would miss the rest of the season.[25] He made nine starts during the season, with a 4–1 record and a 2.63 ERA.[13]
2024 season
[edit]May and the Dodgers agreed to a $2.135 million contract for 2024 in salary arbitration[26] though he began the season on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from his surgery the previous year.[27] In July, May underwent surgery for an esophageal tear, ending his chance to return in 2024.[28] He signed with the Dodgers for $2.135 million for 2025, avoiding salary arbitration.[29]
2025 season
[edit]May returned to a major league mound when he started for the Dodgers against the Atlanta Braves on April 1, 2025, pitching five innings with six strikeouts while allowing only one unearned run.[30] May made 18 starts for the Dodgers in 2025, with one relief appearance following a Shohei Ohtani abbreviated start. He was 6–7 with a 4.85 ERA and 97 strikeouts.[13] On July 30, the Dodgers announced that May had lost his spot in the rotation and would be shifted to a bulk relief role going forward.[31]
Boston Red Sox
[edit]On July 31, 2025, the Dodgers traded May to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard.[32]
Pitching style
[edit]A tall pitcher at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 180 lb (82 kg), May pitches with a three-quarter stance with high leg lifts both before release and at follow-through (with nobody on base). His main pitches are a two-seam fastball with sinker-like movement, which averages at over 98 mph, a cutter, a curveball, and a four-seam fastball. May was ranked fourth amongst starting pitchers in lateral movement in 2020, which is rare for a pitcher who averages over 93 mph on their two-seam fastballs or sinkers.[33]
Personal life
[edit]May is nicknamed "Gingergaard" after pitcher and former teammate Noah Syndergaard, due to profile and appearance, as well as his red hair.[34][35][36]
May married his long-time girlfriend Amelia "Millie" Trautner on December 27, 2022.[37]
On July 10 2024, May was saved by his wife after almost choking to death when he took a bite of lettuce and felt it catch in his throat as the couple was having dinner. May knew something bad had happened, per the outlet. That evening, May went to the ER where he had emergency surgery to repair a tear in his esophagus. During his interview about the freak accident, he stated "It was definitely life and death," May said. "Like, if I hadn't gone to the hospital that night, I would not be here today. And I definitely have to thank my wife for that—for saving my life that night. Because I definitely would not have gone if I had been by myself."[38]
References
[edit]- ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Drafted by Dodgers with 101st overall pick". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
- ^ "Dodgers agree to terms with third-round pick". MLB.com. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Dustin May Minor League Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Bumbaca, Chris (August 21, 2018). "Bannon leads California League All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "May helps Drillers win first Texas League in 20 years". Minor League Baseball. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Gavin Lux, Dustin May & Keibert Ruiz Headline Double-A Tulsa 2019 Opening Day Roster". April 4, 2019.
- ^ Tulsa Drillers (June 13, 2019). "Top Prospects Named to Rosters for ONEOK Field All-Star Game". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- ^ Callis, Jim (June 28, 2019). "Here are the 2019 Futures Game rosters". mlb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ Dykstra, Sam (June 27, 2019). "Dodgers promote Lux, May to OKC". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (August 1, 2019). "May's Friday debut to serve as audition". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (August 2, 2019). "Solid debut showcases May's potential". mlb.com. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
- ^ De Nicola, Christina (August 13, 2019). "Dodgers belt 6 homers in long ball spectacle". mlb.com. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Dustin May Stats". Baseball Reference.
- ^ Castillo, Jorge (July 23, 2020). "Back injury forces Clayton Kershaw to miss opening day start; Dustin May gets the nod". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ Gurnick, Ken (August 5, 2020). "May breaks Internet, baffles Padres". mlb.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
- ^ "Dodgers phenom May to have TJ surgery". mlb.com. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ Wexler, Sarah (August 20, 2022). "May electric in return from Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (September 24, 2022). "Dustin May placed on 15-day injured list with low back tightness, ending his regular season". SB Nation. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Exits start with right elbow pain". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Diagnosed with flexor strain". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Will receive PRP injection". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Dodgers' Dustin May: Out for season". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (January 11, 2024). "Dodgers sign 10 players to avoid salary arbitration". SB Nation. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (February 8, 2024). "Dodgers finalize Ryan Brasier deal, place Dustin May on 60-day injured list". SB Nation. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Randhawa, Manny (July 13, 2024). "Dodgers' rehabbing May out for the season". mlb.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
- ^ "Dustin May, Dodgers agree to 1-year, $2.135M contract". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Chen, Sonja (April 1, 2025). "May's emotional return from life-threatening ordeal fuels LA's record start to season". mlb.com. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "Dodgers Make Massive Dustin May Announcement Amid Trade Rumors". Sports Illustrated. July 30, 2025. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ Browne, Ian (July 31, 2025). "Deal for May with LA gives Red Sox pitching depth". mlb.com. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
- ^ "BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: Dustin May". www.brooksbaseball.net. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (August 3, 2019). "After keeping Dustin May at the deadline, Dodgers debut 'Gingergaard'". ESPN.
- ^ "Noah Syndergaard Calls Dustin May's 'Gingergaard' Nickname 'Stupid'". FOX Sports Radio.
- ^ Brown, Larry (August 2, 2019). "Dodgers rookie Dustin May is down with the 'Gingergaard' nickname". Larry Brown Sports.
- ^ Snider, Jeff (December 27, 2022). "Dodgers News: Millie and Dustin May Tie the Knot". DodgersNation. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Jain, Krutik (April 2, 2025). ""I wouldn't be here" - Dustin May gets candid about how wife Millie Trautner saved Dodgers pitcher's life after harrowing near-death experience". Sportskeeda.com. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
- Dustin May on Twitter
Dustin May
View on GrokipediaEarly life and amateur career
Early life
Dustin May was born on September 6, 1997, in Justin, Texas.[1] He grew up in this small rural town, located about 30 miles northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, in a family consisting of one younger sister and one older half-brother.[8] His father worked for Little Debbie, providing the family with access to snacks like Cosmic Brownies, while his mother served as an assistant principal at a local middle school.[8] Described as the shy child in his family, May was known for motivating himself with minimal external influence during his early years.[8] In the quiet, rural setting of Justin—a community of fewer than 5,000 residents at the time—he spent his childhood in a low-key environment that emphasized self-reliance.[9] This upbringing fostered a reserved personality, though May later channeled his energy into sports as he entered high school.High school career and draft
Dustin May attended Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, where he developed into a prominent baseball prospect.[2] As a pitcher, he showcased significant growth in his fastball velocity, starting in the 88-92 mph range during his earlier years and reaching the mid-90s by his senior season, complementing his 6-foot-6 frame that drew scout attention for its projectability.[10][11][12] May's high school performance earned him a commitment to Texas Tech University, but his rising stock as a draft-eligible talent led him to forgo college in favor of professional opportunities, highlighted by his raw potential and athletic build.[13][14] In the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the third round with the 101st overall pick, recognizing his upside as a power pitcher.[15] Following the draft, May signed with the Dodgers for a $997,500 bonus, exceeding the slot value and reflecting the organization's investment in his long-term development.[15] This decision marked the end of his amateur career and the beginning of his professional journey, supported by his family who had encouraged his pursuit of baseball from a young age.[16]Professional career
Minor league career
Following his selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, Dustin May began his professional career in the Arizona League (AZL) Dodgers that summer.[17] In 10 appearances (6 starts), he posted a 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA over 30.1 innings, striking out 34 batters while walking just 4.[17] May made his full-season debut in 2017 with the Single-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League, where he went 9-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 23 starts, logging 123 innings and 113 strikeouts.[17] Late in the season, he made two brief appearances with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League, allowing just 1 earned run over 11 innings for a 0.82 ERA with 15 strikeouts.[17] Across both levels, May demonstrated improved command and ground-ball tendencies, walking only 27 batters in 134 total innings.[17] In 2018, May had a breakout campaign, splitting time between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa Drillers. With the Quakes, he recorded a 7-3 mark and 3.29 ERA in 17 starts, striking out 94 in 98.1 innings while limiting opponents to a .237 batting average.[17] Promoted to Tulsa in July, he went 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA over 6 starts and 34.1 innings, adding 28 strikeouts.[17] His performance earned him California League Pitcher of the Week honors in May after a dominant outing.[18] Throughout his minor league progression from 2016 to 2018, May compiled an 18-12 record with a 3.61 ERA in 58 appearances (53 starts), totaling 297 innings and 284 strikeouts.[17] The Dodgers emphasized his physical development, helping him increase fastball velocity from the low-90s to consistently 93-97 mph by 2018, while refining his changeup through specialized training camps to complement his curveball and sinker.[10][19] This focus enhanced his ground-ball rate above 50% and positioned him as a top prospect entering 2019.[10]Los Angeles Dodgers career
Dustin May made his major league debut on August 2, 2019, starting for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. In that outing, he pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and no walks, taking the loss in a 5-2 defeat. Following his promotion from Triple-A Oklahoma City as part of the Dodgers' September call-ups, May transitioned primarily to a relief role for the remainder of the 2019 season. Overall, he appeared in 14 games with four starts, posting a 2-3 record, 3.63 ERA, and 32 strikeouts over 34⅔ innings.[20][1] In the shortened 2020 season, May solidified his role as a starter, making 10 starts and two relief appearances for a total of 12 outings, where he went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 56 innings. His performance contributed to the Dodgers' success, earning him a spot on the postseason roster, where he appeared in seven games across the postseason, compiling a 1-0 record with a 4.22 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 10⅔ innings, including scoreless relief in the NLDS. The Dodgers won the World Series that year, securing May his first championship ring; he finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Ranked as the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect and No. 7 overall in MLB Pipeline's top 100 entering the season, May's breakout highlighted his potential as a key rotation piece.[1][21][22][23] May's 2021 season was cut short by injury after just five starts, where he recorded a 1-1 mark with a 2.74 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 23 innings. On May 1, he exited a start against the Milwaukee Brewers with elbow discomfort, later diagnosed as a torn UCL, leading to Tommy John surgery on May 11 performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The procedure sidelined him for the remainder of 2021 and most of 2022. Returning in August 2022 following rehabilitation, May made six starts, going 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 30 innings, serving as a bridge back to the rotation while managing his workload. He missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery in July to repair a torn esophagus sustained during a meal, a complication that arose amid his recovery from prior elbow issues.[24][21][25] In 2023, May made nine starts before another elbow setback on May 17, ending his season early with a 4-1 record, 2.63 ERA, and 34 strikeouts in 48 innings; he underwent flexor tendon repair later that year. Entering 2025 fully recovered, May earned a rotation spot and logged 19 appearances (18 starts) prior to his July 31 trade to the Boston Red Sox, posting a 6-7 record with a 4.85 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 104 innings. Across his Dodgers tenure from 2019 to mid-2025, May compiled an 18-16 record with a 3.86 ERA, 271 strikeouts, and no saves in 65 games (52 starts) over 295⅔ innings. His career with the team was marked by persistent injury challenges that limited his durability but showcased flashes of ace potential when healthy.[1][25][26][1][27]| Year | Team | W-L | ERA | G | GS | IP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | LAD | 2-3 | 3.63 | 14 | 4 | 34.2 | 32 |
| 2020 | LAD | 3-1 | 2.57 | 12 | 10 | 56.0 | 44 |
| 2021 | LAD | 1-1 | 2.74 | 5 | 5 | 23.0 | 35 |
| 2022 | LAD | 2-3 | 4.50 | 6 | 6 | 30.0 | 29 |
| 2023 | LAD | 4-1 | 2.63 | 9 | 9 | 48.0 | 34 |
| 2025 | LAD | 6-7 | 4.85 | 19 | 18 | 104.0 | 97 |
| Total | LAD | 18-16 | 3.86 | 65 | 52 | 295.2 | 271 |