Reinforcements are on the way for the San Francisco Giants, with former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray weeks away from his season debut. After failing to make the playoffs last season, the San Francisco Giants had a busy winter. San Francisco completely reshaped their starting rotation by adding two Cy Young-winning lefties, Robbie Ray and Blake Snell. In their postseason pursuit, the Giants also bolstered their lineup by signing Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, and Jung Ho Lee.
Injured Giants Ace Weeks Away From Season Debut
Coming into the season, the Giants were not expecting such extensive turnover, with multiple starters being sidelined at different points. But help is on the way, with Robbie Ray on track to make his Giants debut around the All-Star break. Acquired in an offseason deal with the Mariners, Ray has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old began a rehab assignment earlier this month, making four starts for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants. Ray pitched seven innings in total, striking out 15 while allowing four runs on seven hits and no walks before his promotion to Triple-A Sacramento.
He was one of three rehabbing Giants pitchers to take the mound for Triple-A for Sacramento on Sunday. Ray and right-hander Austin Warren were working behind Blake Snell, who is rehabbing from a left groin strain. Ray threw 45 pitches (30 strikes) across 2 ⅓ innings, striking out two and walking one in another solid performance. Barring any setbacks, Ray could return from Tommy John surgery and make his Giants debut in the coming weeks.
Robbie Ray threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento. Fastball was up to 95 mph. It’s been smooth sailing in recovery from Tommy John, but it’s likely going to be another 3-4 weeks before he’s ready. pic.twitter.com/V4vr4Mc85X
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) June 23, 2024
Robbie Ray Gearing Up For His Much-Needed Giants Debut
Ray’s return could not come at a better time for San Francisco, who has relied heavily on its bullpen with five starters on the injured list. Of the 484 different relievers to appear in a game this season, Tyler Rogers has appeared in the most games (39), while Ryan Walker is tied for second (38). With just over two weeks until the All-Star break, five Giants relievers have logged 30 or more appearances this season.
Entering play on Monday, the Giants sit six games below .500 and three games back in the Wild Card race. Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks are currently working as a two-man rotation for San Francisco in what manager Bob Melvin called an “uncomfortable” situation. San Francisco could be forced to call up some of their top pitching prospects until their starters get healthy.
Robbie Ray will likely need a few more starts to build up his pitch count before the Giants activate him off the 60-day injured list. He’ll join a Giants rotation that, when healthy, includes Logan Webb, Blake Snell, Jordan Hicks, Alex Cobb and Kyle Harrison.
Main Photo Credits: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
