Giants continue selling, trade Robbie Ray to division rival Padres

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Giants continue selling, trade Robbie Ray to division rival Padres

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 2:36 PM ET

The 2026 season has not gone the way the San Francisco Giants hoped it would.

Because of that, the Giants were expected to sell ahead of the MLB trade deadline. That started Monday morning with a trade of Luis Arraez and continued Monday afternoon with the trade of Robbie Ray to a division rival.

Padres acquiring Robbie Ray

According to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, Ray is heading from San Francisco to the San Diego Padres.

It was unknown as to whether San Diego would be buyers or sellers, but that has now become clear with the move to add Ray to a rotation that desperately needs help.

Ray has been stellar this season, posting a 10-6 record with a 3.08 ERA across 21 starts and 122 2/3 innings pitched.

The San Diego Padres are finalizing a trade to acquire left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 3, 2026

Division familiarity could benefit Robbie Ray

Ray staying in the NL West could be a blessing for San Diego. He is already familiar with the division so there won't be days needed for him to learn the rosters within the division and know how to pitch to them.

There have been NL West struggles this season

He has, though, struggled against the division this season, as two of his worst starts came against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Against Arizona, Ray allowed 11 hits and 10 runs in just 4 1/3 innings, giving him an ERA of 18.69 against the Diamondbacks. He pitched a bit better against the Dodgers, lasting 4 2/3 innings while allowing seven hits and four runs.

Adjustments against those teams will certainly need to be made if the Padres have any hopes of making a deep postseason run.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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