Former Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Dustin May, a pitcher once pegged as a front-of-the-rotation arm, is returning to LA as a Milwaukee Brewer for the NLCS.
What to expect from Dustin May in the NLCS
May signed a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that featured a mutual option for 2027.
He shined with the Cardinals, breathing new life into his career and delivering on some of the underlying stuff that long made him an intriguing prospect.
His 4.38 ERA with the Cardinals doesn’t tell the full story; he posted a 3.15 FIP and threw a near no-hitter during the season.
He impressed enough to catch the Brewers’ eye, who traded for May and lefty reliever Jojo Romero.
May has struggled with the Brewers, posting a 5.65 ERA and a 5.06 FIP in the regular season. In the postseason, he started Game 3 but lasted only three innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and two runs.
The Brewers have May not included in their first three starters, but whether he makes a full start during the series or makes multiple long relief appearances, May will be part of their pitching plan at different points.
Why the Dodgers moved on from May
The Dodgers traded May midseason in 2025, receiving two prospects: James Tibbs II and Zach Ehrhard.
The trade was sensational for the Dodgers, who have seen Tibbs and Ehrhard develop as prospects, while May’s loss was barely felt, since the Dodgers’ rotation was so deep.
Los Angeles went on to win the 2025 World Series and further build out their farm system, while Dustin May posted a 5.40 ERA in six appearances for the Red Sox.
May broke through with the Dodgers in 2019 as a 21-year-old phenom who threw a hard fastball with amazing movement, and while he sometimes struggled with command, the stuff always graded out well.
He posted a 2.93 ERA over his first three big-league years, totaling 113.2 innings.
However, injuries ended any chance of momentum building for May, and the Dodgers eventually dealt him as they stockpiled starting pitching.
