The San Francisco Giants traded left-hander Robbie Ray to the San Diego Padres for prospects Miguel Mendez and Joniel Hernandez, the teams announced Monday.
San Francisco will pay half of Ray's remaining salary for the season, as well as half of a $1-million assignment bonus linked to the pitcher's contract, a source told The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly.
Ray is in the final year of his deal before hitting free agency and owns a 3.08 ERA and 7.9 K/9 this campaign. The 34-year-old boasts a pitching run value in the 81st percentile and off-speed run value in the 89th percentile thanks to an improved changeup that hitters are batting .200 against.
The 2021 American League Cy Young winner should help stabilize a decimated Padres rotation that has Lucas Giolito, Joe Musgrove, and Nick Pivetta on the injured list. San Diego's starters rank 27th in the majors with a 4.66 ERA this season.
San Diego reportedly also acquired right-handed starter Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers after acquiring Ray.
The Padres enter Monday one game back of the Philadelphia Phillies for the third wild-card spot in the NL after winning eight of their last nine games.
San Francisco acquired San Diego's No. 4-ranked prospect (Mendez) and No. 9-ranked prospect (Hernandez) in the deal.
The 24-year-old Mendez owns a 4.79 ERA and 9.8 K/9 with a 1.40 WHIP in the minors this season.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Hernandez is slashing .303/.424/.503 with 21 extra-base hits and 43 RBIs in 41 Dominican Summer League games.
