As the MLB trade deadline closed in, the Los Angeles Dodgers opted for a measured but meaningful reshuffling of their roster, highlighted by the trade of right-hander Dustin May to the Boston Red Sox and the addition of two new outfielders and a bullpen arm.

Dustin May’s Era Ends with the L.A. Dodgers

Once seen as a rising star in the Dodgers’ rotation, May’s time in Los Angeles has come to an end. 

The 26-year-old starter, whose career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries, including a flexor tendon surgery and a bizarre esophageal tear last year, now heads to Boston. 

The Red Sox, in need of rotation help, are betting on May’s upside despite a rocky past few seasons that included just 20 starts from 2021 to 2024.

May, now a pending free agent and out of minor league options, preferred to remain a starter, something Boston appears willing to explore.

In return, the Dodgers acquired two promising young outfielders: James Tibbs III, a former first-round pick and Zach Ehrhard, a fourth-round selection who has also been developing in Double-A. Tibbs originally came to Boston from the Giants in the Rafael Devers deal.

Dodgers Bolster Roster with Call and Stewart

The Dodgers didn’t stop with May. They made two additional moves aimed at reinforcing their depth, one in the bullpen, the other in the outfield.

Los Angeles reacquired Brock Stewart, a right-handed reliever from the Twins, in exchange for James Outman. 

Stewart, originally drafted by the Dodgers in 2014, returns as a much more polished pitcher. Now throwing in the mid-90s, he’s enjoying a breakout season with a 2.38 ERA and a 41:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 34 innings.

While Stewart brings experience and club control through 2027, his injury history, including Tommy John surgery in 2021 and other arm issues, adds a layer of risk, especially as he nears his career-high in innings pitched.

Outman, who finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, struggled to replicate his early offensive success, hitting just .103 (4-for-39) this season. His elite defense, however, was never in question.

The Dodgers also landed Alex Call from the Nationals, sending over pitching prospects Eriq Swan (ranked No. 16 in the organization) and Sean Paul Liñan (No. 20). 

Call, 30, is hitting .274 with a .756 OPS this season and has proven effective against left-handed pitching. Capable of playing all three outfield spots, Call provides added flexibility and could become a defensive asset in late-game situations.

He’ll be arbitration-eligible after the season and is under team control through 2029.

Depth Over Flash

Unlike the Padres, who swung big in an attempt to close the NL West gap, the Dodgers took a conservative approach, giving up minimal long-term value while addressing immediate needs.

May’s departure reflects the team’s growing rotation depth, with Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Blake Snell all expected to contribute down the stretch. Clayton Kershaw and Emmet Sheehan are also working their way back.

Los Angeles now looks to stabilize a lineup that has been inconsistent in recent weeks, going just 10-14 in July. The hope is that a stronger bench, a deeper bullpen, and the return of key injured players will set them up for another deep postseason run.

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