SF Giants Trade Robbie Ray to Padres Before Deadline

Robbie Ray is headed to San Diego as the San Francisco Giants moved another expiring contract before the MLB trade deadline.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Aug 3, 2026, 11:51 AM

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Coming into the 2026 MLB trade deadline, the two players most expected the San Francisco Giants to shop were infielder Luis Arraez and starting pitcher Robbie Ray. With a few hours left until the deadline on Monday, they shipped both off in separate deals.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Ray was traded within the division to the San Diego Padres. In return, San Francisco is acquiring RHP Miguel Mendez (Padres No. 4 prospect) and SS Joniel Hernandez (Padres No. 9 prospect), per Alex Pavlovic.

Ray, who is on an expiring $25 million deal this season, has been impressive this season after a slow start.

Giants are getting right-hander Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez back in the Robbie Ray deal, per source. They’re splitting Ray’s salary the rest of the way.

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) August 3, 2026

Functioning as the Giants’ second starter behind longtime ace Logan Webb, Ray has a 10-6 record this season in 21 starts with a 3.08 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Since the start of June, the lefty starter had managed to go 7-0 in his 10 appearances.

Ironically, his last start for the Giants may have been somewhat of an audition, as it came against his new team in the Padres. Given his expiring deal and age (34), it made sense for San Francisco to move on as they sit 22 games behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers with a 47-65 record.

Their return could be decent as well. RHP Mendez (24) spent four seasons in Single-A after beginning his pro journey out of the Dominican Republic in 2021, but surged in 2025 and earned an addition to the Padres 40-man roster. At 6’2, he should be an intriguing addition to the Giants’ pitching depth.

Here is a look at new #SFGiants prospect Miguel Mendez. Power fastball with a good slider. He has a changeup, too, and will need to throw it more as a starter. Good velo separation between the fastball/changeup. Fastball gets some late carry. https://t.co/IprCob0qtd

— Jeff Young (@BaseballJeff1) August 3, 2026

Joniel Hernandez is just 17 years old and 6’1 with impressive athletic tools, but he will need time to continue developing in the minor league system.

The Ray deal came just a couple of hours after they shipped Arraez and RHP Caleb Kilian off to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitching prospects Ramon Marquez (Philadelphia’s No. 4 prospect) and Marty Gair.

Finding a way to get multiple promising prospects, especially on the mound, in exchange for two expiring contracts is solid business from the Giants. With a few hours remaining until the deadline, it may not be the last of their moves.

But the two names most expected to be re-routed due to their expiring contracts and maintaining impactful baseball, Arraez and Robbie Ray, have found new homes.