Red Sox New Addition Not Taking Opportunity For Granted

The Boston Red Sox added Dustin May to their rotation at the trade deadline. He’s set to make his team debut on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals.

May has spent his entire career to this point with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over 295 2/3 career innings, he’s registered a 3.71 ERA. This season hasn’t gone as well; he’s thrown a career-high 104 innings with an ERA over 4.85.

May’s career has been marred by injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021 after throwing 23 innings. He returned in 2022 and pitched 30 innings before being shut down with back tightness. In 2023, he underwent another elbow surgery and ruptured his esophagus while eating a salad, which required another season-ending surgery.

Now, May isn’t taking his place in the big leagues for granted.

“It’s not that I didn’t have respect for the game like when I first got up, but like my understanding a respect for the game and like the knowledge that it can be taken away,” May said on the 310 To Left podcast. “My drive and want to be on the field every day is even higher now than it was then, just because, for one, I was away for so long, and two, it can be taken away so fast.”

While the Dodgers are a near lock to make the playoffs, May is excited to join the Red Sox playoff push.

“We’re in a playoff push and starters are a big part of that,” May said. “Being able to come over, hopefully get some fresh eyes on me and be able to go out and perform at the closer level to what I expected myself going into the playoff push. I mean, I just want to go and do my best and contribute to the team in any facet that I can.”

May will take the mound for the series finale between the Red Sox and Royals on Wednesday. You can listen to the full episode of 310 To Left on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms.