The San Diego Padres have acquired left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan and Alden Gonzalez on Monday. Ray, who is making $25 million in 2026 and will be a free agent after this season, has been one of the best pitchers in MLB since June, posting a 10-6 record with a 3.08 ERA and 107 strikeouts. In exchange, the Giants will receive Joniel Hernandez and Miguel Mendez.

The Padres, currently one game out of the final wild-card spot, desperately needed starting pitching. Their rotation's 4.66 ERA is the fourth-highest in the majors. Ray, a 34-year-old lefty and 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner, has nine quality starts this season, including five in his last seven outings. He has demonstrated strong performance since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2024, though he struggles with walks and right-handed batters.