Dustin May and St. Louis Cardinals agree to $12.5 million, 1-year contract
The Cardinals added May to strengthen pitching depth despite his recent injuries; the contract includes a $20 million mutual option for 2027 with a $500,000 buyout.
- On Dec. 13, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the St. Louis Cardinals and right-handed pitcher Dustin May agreed to a one-year contract.
- May's medical history includes Tommy John surgery after a 2021 elbow injury and a flexor pronator strain requiring surgery on July 1, 2023; the Cardinals designated Matt Koperniak for assignment to open a roster spot.
- Passan wrote on X that `Dustin May's deal with the St. Louis Cardinals is official, sources tell ESPN. He will make $12.5 million this year, and the mutual option for the 2027 season is for $20 million` on Wednesday.
- The front office views the deal as betting on May's upside and giving the Cardinals flexibility since it would be tradeable if he impresses and his youth supports that given a career 3.86 ERA.
- Earlier this year May returned to a big-league mound on April 1 and was 7-11 with a 4.96 ERA in 23 starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, who acquired him on July 31.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Cardinals bet on newest starter Dustin May's upside with 1-year, $12.5 million deal
A year removed from a series of injuries that interrupted or erased full seasons, the 6-foot-6 right-hander comes to the Cardinals to reestablish his place as a top-tier starter.
CARDINALS SIGN FREE-AGENT PITCHER DUSTIN MAY
STL LOUIS, MO., December 17, 2025 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Dustin May to a one-year contract for 2026 that also includes a mutual option for 2027. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. “It’s exciting to add someone with Dustin’s talent and upside to our rotation,” said Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operation Chaim Bloom. “He’s already experienced pitching in an…
Cardinals announce signing of free agent pitcher Dustin May - News from Rob Rains, STLSportsPage.com
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