Dustin May’s Boston Red Sox debut will come Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, three days later than originally planned.

Manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday that the right-hander’s first start for Boston was pushed back to ensure that Lucas Giolito did not go too long between starts.

Giolito, who last pitched Tuesday in a win at Minnesota, will take the mound instead of May on Sunday in the series finale against the visiting Houston Astros. Brayan Bello will open the following home series against the Royals on Monday, Garrett Crochet will start Tuesday, and May will pitch the finale Wednesday, according to Cora.

The Red Sox acquired the 27-year-old May from the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline in exchange for outfield prospects James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard.

May, who missed the 2024 season due to recovery from surgeries on his elbow and his esophagus, was 6-7 with a 4.85 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) for the Dodgers in 2025.

He appeared in parts of five seasons for Los Angeles from 2019-23 and has already set career highs for appearances, starts, innings (104), strikeouts (97) and walks (43). His ERA is so far the highest of his career as well.

–Field Level Media