Dustin May’s time with the St. Louis Cardinals came to an unexpected end earlier this week when the right-handed pitcher was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade that also involved the St. Louis Cardinals acquiring two outfield prospects.
May was in the middle of his first season in St. Louis and had established himself as an important part of the Cardinals’ starting rotation. Although his numbers were not spectacular, he had provided the club with valuable innings throughout the 2026 campaign.
The trade brought an abrupt conclusion to his first year with the Cardinals, leaving teammates, fans and May himself to adjust to a significant change just as the season entered its most important stretch.
According to an announcement from the Cardinals on August 3, St. Louis sent May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero to Milwaukee in exchange for outfielders Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale.
“We have acquired OF Alexander Frias and OF Josiah Ragsdale from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for RHP Dustin May and LHP JoJo Romero,” the Cardinals announced.
For May, the move represents another chapter in a career that has already included several twists and turns. The veteran pitcher had joined the Cardinals after spending the previous portions of his career with other organizations and was hoping to establish some consistency in St. Louis.
Instead, he now finds himself preparing to help the Brewers during the remainder of the season.
May Posts on Instagram Following Trade
Not long after the trade became official, May took to Instagram to share a message with his followers.
While the post did not need to be overly complicated, the reaction from his teammates and fans demonstrated just how quickly he had become part of the Cardinals’ clubhouse culture.
The post attracted more than 17,000 likes in less than 24 hours, while several Cardinals players and supporters flooded the comments section with messages for the pitcher.
One of the more amusing comments came from Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy, who appeared to reference an inside joke involving May.
“You could have at least left the football for me and KD😭,” McGreevy wrote.
The comment captured the lighthearted relationship May had developed with his teammates during his time in St. Louis.
Another fan expressed just how much they enjoyed watching May pitch while also joking about his eventual return.
“Dude I love Dustin May almost as much as Pedro Pages. 😭 Can’t wait for you to come back in the offseason 😂,” the commenter wrote.
The reaction wasn’t limited to fans, either.
Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt made it clear that he was not particularly thrilled with the organization’s decision to move May.
“I don’t like this one for us,” Wetherholt wrote.
That brief message said plenty about May’s standing within the clubhouse. Even though he had spent only one season with St. Louis, his departure clearly wasn’t something everyone wanted to see.
Another commenter tried to put a positive spin on the situation, encouraging May to use the opportunity in Milwaukee to chase a championship before returning to St. Louis.
“Oh you’re not going anywhere. Go win your WS and we’ll see you back in spring training🫡,” the fan wrote.
Brewers supporters, meanwhile, were understandably excited to welcome the new addition.
“Let’s go May welcome to the Brewers!🔥🔥🔥⚾️🧀,” one Milwaukee fan commented.
Another message encouraged May to finish the season with Milwaukee before eventually returning to St. Louis.
“Finish the year Milwaukee and come back we want you back brother,” the fan wrote.
One of the most heartfelt messages came from another Cardinals supporter who wished May well as he began the next stage of his career.
“Take care man. You got all of STL behind you. Go win it all,” the fan wrote.
The collection of comments highlighted the mixed emotions surrounding the trade. Brewers fans were excited about what May could potentially bring to their team, while Cardinals fans were understandably disappointed to see a player they had quickly embraced leave.
May’s First Season With St. Louis
May’s departure came after a season in which he made 21 starts for the Cardinals.
Across those appearances, he posted a 5-7 record with a 4.38 ERA.
Those numbers may not jump off the page, but May’s value extends beyond his win-loss record. Pitchers are often evaluated based on a much broader collection of statistics and circumstances, including workload, strikeout ability, walks, quality of contact and the strength of the opposition.
For St. Louis, May had provided another experienced arm capable of taking the ball every fifth day.
The Cardinals entered the season hoping to remain competitive in the National League Central, and having dependable starting pitching was obviously going to be an important part of that plan.
May had also brought considerable MLB experience to the rotation.
Before joining St. Louis, he had already spent seven seasons in the major leagues, including time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.
His career has included periods where he showed flashes of the ability that made him such an intriguing pitching prospect earlier in his career.
Over 92 games at the major-league level, May entered the trade with a career record of 24-27 and a 3.99 ERA.
Those career numbers indicate that despite some inconsistencies, he has generally been capable of keeping his team competitive when healthy and operating at his best.
A New Opportunity in Milwaukee
The Brewers will now hope that May can provide stability and experience as they push toward the postseason.
Milwaukee’s decision to acquire him suggests that the organization sees value in his ability to contribute immediately.
At this stage of the season, teams aren’t simply acquiring players for the sake of adding names to their roster. Every move is made with October in mind, particularly when the trade involves an experienced major-league pitcher.
For May, the move could also represent an opportunity to reset.
A change of scenery can sometimes help a player regain confidence, especially when joining a team with different expectations, coaching strategies and clubhouse dynamics.
Milwaukee will likely be hoping that May can put together some of his best performances of the season at precisely the right time.
The Brewers also have an opportunity to see what May can offer against a different collection of National League opponents.
If he settles into Milwaukee’s rotation and performs well, the trade could quickly look like a major win for the Brewers.
Cardinals Remain in the National League Central Race
While the May trade received plenty of attention, the Cardinals still have plenty to play for.
St. Louis entered the latest stretch of the season sitting in third place in the National League Central with a 57-58 record through 115 games.
That record puts the Cardinals in a position where every remaining series matters.
The club is coming off an encouraging series against the New York Yankees, winning two of three games.
Taking a series from one of baseball’s most recognizable teams can provide a boost, particularly for a club attempting to remain in contention.
However, the Cardinals will need to maintain that momentum if they want to make a serious push down the stretch.
The decision to trade May and Romero also indicates that the organization was willing to make difficult roster decisions while keeping an eye on the bigger picture.
In return, St. Louis acquired Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale, two outfielders who could become important pieces of the organization’s future.
That means the Cardinals were not simply giving up established major-league talent without compensation. Instead, they were adding younger players who could potentially contribute to the club in the years ahead.
What Happens Next for May?
The immediate focus for May will be Milwaukee.
Rather than dwelling on the surprise of the trade, the veteran pitcher will now have to quickly become familiar with a new coaching staff, new teammates and a new environment.
The Brewers will expect him to step into his role and contribute as they navigate the final portion of the regular season.
For Cardinals fans, however, May’s Instagram post showed that his connection with St. Louis may not disappear simply because he has changed teams.
The comments from teammates and supporters made it clear that he left behind people who appreciated his presence.
Wetherholt’s reaction was particularly telling. His “I don’t like this one for us” comment reflected the disappointment that often comes with watching a teammate get traded in the middle of a season.
At the same time, some Cardinals fans were already talking about the possibility of May eventually returning.
Whether that actually happens remains impossible to predict.
For now, May is a Brewer, and his goal will be to help Milwaukee make the most of the opportunity ahead.
The Bigger Picture
Trades are an unavoidable part of Major League Baseball, particularly during the second half of the season when contenders attempt to strengthen their rosters and organizations outside the postseason picture begin planning for the future.
May’s trade is a reminder of just how quickly circumstances can change for players.
One day, he was preparing to continue his first season in St. Louis. Shortly afterward, he was packing his bags and preparing to join Milwaukee.
Despite the sudden change, the response from Cardinals teammates and fans suggests that May made a meaningful impression during his time with the organization.
Now, the Brewers will be hoping that his experience translates into production on the mound.
With 92 career MLB appearances and a career 3.99 ERA, May has already demonstrated that he can compete at the highest level.
His 5-7 record and 4.38 ERA in 21 starts for St. Louis this season leave room for improvement, but Milwaukee is betting that a fresh opportunity could help unlock a stronger version of the pitcher.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals will turn their attention toward their new acquisitions and the future of their roster.
The trade could ultimately be judged very differently depending on what Frias and Ragsdale become and how May performs in Milwaukee.
For now, though, the human side of the deal is perhaps the most interesting.
May may have only spent one season in St. Louis, but the reaction to his departure showed that he had already developed genuine relationships within the clubhouse and among the fan base.
As he begins his next chapter with the Brewers, Cardinals fans will undoubtedly continue watching his progress.
And judging by the messages under his Instagram post, plenty of them will be rooting for him — even if they wish he were still wearing the Cardinals uniform.
For May, the best response to an unexpected trade is now simple: take the opportunity, help Milwaukee win and see where the rest of the season takes him.
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