The Red Sox appeared to be in a selling mode after trading Rafael Devers.
However, they bolstered their starting rotation just minutes before the 6 PM deadline on Thursday by acquiring Dustin May from the Dodgers, sending top prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehardt in return.
May, 27, has pitched a career-high 104 innings this season, overcoming past injury struggles.
Once a top pitching prospect for Los Angeles, he made his MLB debut in 2019 after being drafted in the third round in 2016.
In his rookie season, May registered a 3.63 ERA over 14 games, and a 2.57 ERA in his second year. Unfortunately, after only five starts in his third year, he underwent Tommy John surgery and later had another elbow procedure in 2023. Additionally, in 2024, he faced a bizarre incident that required esophageal surgery after choking on lettuce.
His last start with the Dodgers was against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 6-foot-7 right-hander pitched five innings, giving up four earned runs in a loss.
In exchange for May, the Red Sox sent outfield prospects Tibbs and Ehardt to Los Angeles.
Tibbs was ranked as Boston’s No. 5 prospect, while Ehardt was No. 27, according to MLB Pipeline.
Tibbs had been a high-profile addition in the Devers trade, drafted 13th overall by the Giants in 2024 before coming to Boston.
This past season, Tibbs batted .232 with a .760 OPS in 87 games across High-A and Double-A.
Ehardt was the Red Sox’s fourth pick in 2024 after being signed as a 13th-round selection in 2021. He dominated in High-A with a .342 average and .930 OPS before struggling slightly in Double-A, where he hit .227 with a .717 OPS.
Since trading Devers, the Red Sox have gone 22-15, looking to maintain momentum in a competitive AL East, currently trailing the Blue Jays by five games.
