Robbie Ray trade dominates Giants' deadline as Padres show interest

Left‑handed pitcher Robbie Ray started for the San Francisco Giants on Thursday at Petco Park, delivering six strong innings, one run on four hits and six strikeouts to earn his 10th win and lower his season ERA to 3.08. The outing is expected to be his final start for the Giants, as the club is in “all‑out selling mode” ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Ray is in the last year of a five‑year, $115 million contract with $7.4 million remaining for the season, and the Giants hope to offload his salary and recoup a prospect before he reaches free agency.

San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller and the organization have publicly expressed interest, though they would need to find payroll flexibility to absorb the remaining salary. A trade would relieve the Giants of a sizable financial commitment while bolstering the Padres’ rotation alongside Michael King and Walker Buehler.