Dustin May sparks ‘hug watch’ with telling Cardinals dugout reception amid trade rumors

Dustin May sparks ‘hug watch’ with telling Cardinals dugout reception amid trade rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News .

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Dustin May may have just made his final start for the St. Louis Cardinals . With the 2026 MLB trade deadline approaching, May took the mound against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium. The right-hander delivered the type of outing that should only increase interest from contenders searching for another proven starter.

However, May’s performance was not the biggest reason baseball fans began wondering if a trade was imminent.

After completing his outing, May returned to the Cardinals dugout and received several hugs from teammates and coaches. The unusual reception immediately sparked “hug watch,” the unofficial trade-deadline tradition of closely examining every embrace, handshake and curtain call for signs that a player is about to be dealt.

Foul Territory highlighted the telling scene on social media.

“Dustin May received several hugs in the dugout after completing his outing today,” the outlet wrote on X.

Dustin May received several hugs in the dugout after completing his outing today. pic.twitter.com/qvvDRP3gC3

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 30, 2026 The Cardinals then added even more intrigue with their own message.

“Tip of the cap to you, DMay,” the team wrote alongside a salute emoji.

Tip of the cap to you, DMay 🫡 pic.twitter.com/1e0bC5zvfn

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 30, 2026 St. Louis did not announce a trade, and the reception could have simply been teammates congratulating May following a strong performance. Considering the timing and speculation surrounding the 28-year-old, however, it certainly felt more significant than an ordinary night at the ballpark.

Dustin May could be nearing end of Cardinals tenure

May has emerged as one of the Cardinals’ most valuable potential trade chips. The former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher signed a one-year deal with St. Louis during the offseason. His contract pays him $12 million in 2026 and includes a $20 million mutual option for 2027, according to MLB.com.

That arrangement always made a deadline trade possible if the Cardinals fell out of contention. St. Louis entered Wednesday with a 53-54 record after losing eight of its first 11 games following the All-Star break. May entered the matchup with a 5-7 record and a 4.59 ERA, but those overall numbers do not tell the complete story of his season.

After surrendering 13 earned runs over his first two starts with St. Louis, May settled down and became a reliable member of the rotation. His best performance came June 15, when he threw the first complete game of his career and limited the San Diego Padres to one hit in a 3-0 victory. That combination of upside, experience and contractual flexibility could make May an appealing option for contenders.

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Cardinals face difficult MLB trade deadline decision

The Cardinals have not completely fallen out of the postseason race, making their deadline direction more complicated. Keeping May would allow St. Louis to continue pursuing a late-season surge. Trading him could help the organization add young talent while capitalizing on a market in which several contenders need pitching.

May also brings postseason experience from his time with the Dodgers. He appeared in the playoffs during three different seasons with Los Angeles and was part of the organization’s 2020 World Series championship team. Nothing was official when May walked off the mound Wednesday. Still, trade-deadline observers know that a series of hugs can sometimes say more than a carefully worded statement.

For May and the Cardinals, “hug watch” is officially underway.

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