Brewers Bolster Pitching with Strategic Intra-Division Deal
Brewers Fortify Pitching Staff with Key Acquisitions
The Milwaukee Brewers have enhanced both their starting rotation and bullpen by securing right-handed pitcher Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero in a recent trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. This acquisition on Monday is expected to provide valuable depth for the Brewers as they continue their season.
Cardinals Receive Promising Outfield Talent in Exchange
In return for their pitching assets, the St. Louis Cardinals welcomed two burgeoning outfield prospects, Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale, into their organization. This exchange highlights both teams' strategies for immediate impact and future development.
Impending Free Agency for Acquired Pitchers
Both Dustin May and JoJo Romero are nearing the end of their current contracts and are anticipated to enter free agency following the conclusion of the current baseball season. This detail adds an interesting dynamic to the trade for the Brewers.
Dustin May's Journey to Milwaukee
At 28 years old, Dustin May concluded his first season with the Cardinals with a 5-7 record and a 4.38 ERA. The Brewers will mark his fourth team in the past two seasons, following stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox before he signed with St. Louis in December. His 21 starts this season are a testament to his resilience, particularly after overcoming multiple significant injuries early in his career, including Tommy John surgery in 2021, right arm surgery in 2023, and an esophageal tear in 2024.
May's Career Performance Overview
Across seven major league seasons, playing for the Dodgers (2019-23, 2025), Red Sox, and Cardinals, May has accumulated a career record of 24-27 with a 3.99 ERA over 92 appearances, 78 of which were starts.
JoJo Romero's Return from Injury
The 29-year-old JoJo Romero has been on the sidelines since July 17 due to an emergency appendectomy. However, he has since resumed baseball-related activities and is slated to return to competitive play later this month. This season, the southpaw reliever posted a 1-3 record with a 3.35 ERA across 44 relief outings.
Romero's Bullpen Legacy
Throughout his seven-season major league career, spanning time with the Philadelphia Phillies (2020-22) and the Cardinals (2022-26), Romero has compiled a record of 16-14 with a 3.51 ERA and 12 saves in 241 relief appearances.
Prospect Alexander Frias' Rapid Ascent
Alexander Frias, an 18-year-old talent from the Dominican Republic, joined the Brewers' organization in January 2025 via an international signing. He has showcased impressive offensive skills this season, batting .342 with eight home runs and 62 RBIs over 60 games across two minor league levels, including a .236 average with four homers in 28 games at Low-A Wilson.
Josiah Ragsdale's Promising Development
Twenty-two-year-old Josiah Ragsdale has swiftly advanced through the minor league ranks since being a seventh-round draft pick last year. He is currently ranked as the Brewers' 13th best prospect by MLB Pipeline, boasting a .316 batting average with 19 home runs and 51 RBIs in 86 games split between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi this seaso
