4 things to know about new Red Sox pitcher Dustin May

Tibbs was arguably the highest prospect Boston acquired within the Rafael Devers commerce to the Giants in June, batting .205 with a .589 OPS in 29 video games for Double-A Portland on the time of Thursday’s commerce.

With Might, the Purple Sox have acquired an intriguing arm to both slot into the again finish of their rotation or doubtlessly the bullpen. Nonetheless, there are considerations concerning the 27-year-old’s total ceiling after an injury-plagued profession. 

Listed below are 4 issues to learn about Boston’s new pitcher:

Might has struggled this season with the Dodgers

The excellent news? Might is within the midst of the healthiest season of his profession, logging 19 video games up to now in 2025 and surpassing 100 innings for the primary time within the large leagues. Previous to this yr, probably the most innings he logged in a single season was 56.0 in 2020. 

The unhealthy information? Might’s healthiest season with the Dodgers has additionally been his worst up to now. 

Might, who will flip 28 in September, sports activities a 6-7 with a 4.85 ERA over 19 video games (18 begins) this season. Over his 104 innings of labor up to now this yr, Might has struck out 97 batters whereas additionally strolling 43. 

His ultimate begin in a Dodgers uniform was towards the Purple Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, with the L.A. starter permitting 4 runs over 5 innings in an eventual 4-3 Boston victory. 

A starter for many of his profession with the Dodgers, Might was relegated to the bullpen in a multi-inning role after his final begin towards Boston by Los Angeles supervisor Dave Roberts. 

Of the 82 pitchers with a minimal of 100 innings logged up to now this season, Might’s 4.85 ERA ranks 73rd total — whereas his stroll charge of 9.5 p.c ranks 72nd in that pool of pitching expertise. 

A pending free agent, Might is anticipated to fit in close to the again finish of Boston’s beginning rotation behind the likes of Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, and Brayan Bello.

Might was as soon as one of many high younger starters in baseball

Had this commerce been struck in say, 2023, Purple Sox followers possible can be doing somersaults over their group buying one of many high younger arms within the recreation. 

Previous to present process Tommy John surgical procedure in July 2023, Might sported a profession ERA of three.10 with the Dodgers — even incomes the Opening Day begin for the Dodgers throughout the 2020 season with Clayton Kershaw sidelined resulting from harm. 

An imposing determine at 6-foot-6, Might might not boast elite swing-and-miss stuff after a number of procedures, however his sinker and sweeper are a pair of pitches that — when utilized successfully — can induce loads of floor balls and restrict the harm doled out on the plate. 

Though his workload throughout six seasons with the Dodgers weren’t precisely taxing resulting from accidents, Might sported a sub-3.00 ERA in three of these six years in Los Angeles. 

Sadly, all three of these campaigns had been earlier than Might’s newest string of harm woes.

He’s handled a number of accidents on the mound

Might is not any stranger to the harm bug, together with his promising profession in Los Angeles dealt a number of blows to a wide range of elbow illnesses and different freak accidents. 

Might has already undergone two Tommy John surgical procedures in his profession, first going beneath the knife for the main process in 2021 after logging simply 5 begins with Los Angeles that yr (2.74 ERA).

He returned in August 2022 from the process, pitching a complete of six video games for the Dodgers with a 2–3 report and 4.50 ERA that season earlier than again tightness ended his season the next month.

Might seemed as if he regained his type in 2023, going 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA over 9 begins. However, extra elbow ache ultimately prompted him to bear one other Tommy John revision surgical procedure and proper his proper flexor tendon in July 2023. 

“It felt superb simply to be again,” Might instructed MLB.com throughout spring coaching about returning to the mound with the Dodgers amid his harm woes. “An enormous, large weight has been lifted off my shoulders, it appears like — even when it wouldn’t have been a clear inning, simply getting again within the dugout, feeling good, being right here.

“It was actually, actually heavy. I’m alive. I’m glad I’m right here. Simply an enormous pleasure, like a breath of recent air. Like a brand new starting, type of.”

Might had an opportunity to return within the ultimate levels of the 2024 season en route to a different World Collection title for the Dodgers, however an emergency surgical process stalled his rehab course of and eliminated all doubt that he’d miss that total season.

A salad pressured Might into emergency surgical procedure 

Might’s hopes of returning in 2024 had been dashed final summer time when he suffered a torn esophagus whereas rehabbing again from his newest Tommy John process. 

Might instructed MLB.com that the incident started after a bit of salad was caught in his throat, with Might unable to clear the obstruction after consuming loads of water.

“As quickly because the water hit the salad in my throat, simply full body-on-fire,” May said. “Rushed to the ER. Received a CAT scan. Drank some distinction fluid. Distinction fluid didn’t go to my abdomen — [it] went in my chest.”

Might mentioned that he was later rushed into surgical procedure in Phoenix that night time round midnight, with the process to restore the tear in his esophagus accomplished round 7 a.m. He needed to spend 11 days within the hospital whereas recovering from the ordeal. 

“[The salad] simply obtained lodged in my throat a sure means. As a substitute of happening, it went out,” Might mentioned. “I might have been six ft beneath that night time.”

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.