Former Cy Young Winner Taking Next Step in Rehab on Saturday

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray is set to take a critical step in his rehab from Tommy John surgery on Saturday.

The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal and includes a link to the original report (subscription required):

Ray (elbow) will throw from 120 feet Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

ANALYSIS
Ray hopes to begin throwing off a mound early on in spring training and said a return around the All-Star break would be a "best-case scenario." Acquired from the Mariners via trade earlier this month, Ray underwent Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery last May. The lefty has an opt-out clause in his contract after this season, but he wouldn't commit one way or another Friday to exercising it or not, saying his main focus is just to get healthy.

Ray signed with the Mariners before the 2022 season, helping the team get to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. In that season, he went 12-12 with a 3.71 ERA over 32 starts. 

Lifetime, Ray is 74-71 in his career, which spans 10 years with the Tigers, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays and Mariners.

He won the Cy Young with Toronto in 2021 and is a one-time All-Star.

If he is able to re-join the Giants at midseason, he'd join a rotation that figures to be anchored by Logan Webb and will also feature Alex Cobb and youngster Kyle Harrison. 

San Francisco finished fourth in the National League West a season ago and failed to make the playoffs.