Baseball careers aren’t usually threatened by leafy greens, but this one came with a side of chaos. After surgeries, setbacks, and one unforgettable dinner, the former Dodgers flamethrower now finds himself wearing Red Sox red. His return to the mound may be inspiring, but the real MVP might be sitting in the stands. In an emotional moment, he shared just how close he came to never pitching again.
Dustin May has been a Dodger through and through, but his 2025 season was not getting any better. And for a team that is trying to win everything, they can’t have baggage holding them back, and the Dodgers decided to trade Dustin May to the Boston Red Sox. During a recent interview with NESN, Dustin May talked about the past few months and how he is ready to make an impact for the Red Sox.
During the interview, he talked about how the past few months with the Los Angeles Dodgers have been difficult and all the problems he faced during that time. He mainly talked about the salad incident that made him view life differently. May said, “It ruptured my esophagus… I was trying to go home… I was like, I’m fine. Like it doesn’t hurt that bad anymore. I just want to go home and go to sleep… I probably might not have woken up… I legitimately would not be here without my wife… I owe a lot of thanks to her.”
Dustin May’s harrowing esophagus surgery dramatically reshaped his professional trajectory, forcing extensive downtime and uncertainty. His unexpectedly ruptured esophagus from eating salad in July 2024 ended his season and required major surgery. Returning in 2025, he faced altered biomechanics and cautious workload management throughout the Dodgers’ rotation. His resilience and mental fortitude emerged as critical assets throughout his recovery journey.
Source: Dustin May’s Instagram Account
In the 2025 Dodgers season, May logged eighteen starts with a 6-7 record, earning a 4.85 ERA. He pitched approximately 94.1 innings, striking out 88 batters while allowing 87 earned runs. Although his ERA and WHIP were around 1.36, reflecting inconsistency, he logged career highs in appearances and workload. His ability to throw over 100 innings showcased his durability, returning from a severe injury.
His trade to the Boston Red Sox might offer a fresh opportunity for May and Boston’s rotation. The Red Sox exchanged top prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard to acquire him before the deadline. Despite fan criticism, Boston gains a movement‑heavy pitcher with upside if managed with care. If May regains his elite stuff, Boston’s rotation depth could significantly improve.
Dustin May’s journey from a salad-induced scare to the Fenway bullpen isn’t your typical baseball arc. But sometimes, a torn ligament and a ruptured esophagus are just the price of reinvention. Now, Boston doesn’t just get a flamethrower—they get a survivor with something to prove. If the Dodgers saw baggage, the Red Sox might just have found treasure in the clearance aisle. And if Dustin May’s arm holds up, the AL East better brace for lettuce-fueled vengeance.
Life gave him a chance that the Dodgers couldn’t, and Dustin May doesn’t want to waste it.
Most pitchers fear a torn ligament. Dustin May collected surgeries like baseball cards — Tommy John, back flare-ups, even a ruptured esophagus from a salad gone rogue. Now, after a chaotic ride with the Dodgers, he’s landed in Boston, where the Red Sox are banking on his rebuilt arm and renewed hunger. May isn’t just fighting for innings anymore—he’s pitching like he knows the game might vanish with his next bite.
Dustin May is set to make his Boston Red Sox debut Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals. After spending his entire career with the Dodgers, May arrives in Boston with something to prove. His 2025 season hasn’t been pretty—an ERA over 4.85 across 104 innings—but the Red Sox see potential. They’re betting his fresh start can spark a much-needed boost to the rotation.
May’s journey hasn’t been smooth—it’s been a medical rollercoaster with some bizarre pit stops. From Tommy John surgery to back tightness to a ruptured esophagus, he’s endured it all. Now, he’s not just back—he’s more grounded, grateful, and fiercely motivated than ever before. On the “310 To Left” podcast, he spoke like a man who knows how fragile this all is.
With Boston in a playoff push, May knows this isn’t just another chapter—it’s redemption. He’s hoping new eyes and a new city will help unlock his former self. More than stats or wins, he just wants to help however he can. For the Red Sox, that hunger might be worth more than velocity or spin rate.
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