The Blue Jays are still looking at the left side of the market, and one name that keeps making sense is Robbie Ray.
So far in 2026, the walks have remained a problem at 4.07 BB/9, and his strikeout rate has dipped too. But there’s been a real shift this summer.
Over his last four appearances, including one relief outing after a weather-related suspension, Ray has given up three earned runs for a 0.95 ERA across 28.1 innings. The command hasn’t been spotless - he’s walked 10 in that stretch - but he’s also struck out 20 while allowing just 13 hits.
For a pending free agent, the timing looks right.
The stuff still gives him a chance to help. His fastball is down 1.5 mph from where it sat in 2021, but he’s added a sinker this season, and hitters have managed only a .220 average against it.
His changeup and curveball remain useful weapons, and the curve has been especially sharp, drawing whiffs 44.1% of the time. That matters because it was one of the worst pitches in baseball last season, finishing with a run value of -9.
If Toronto doesn’t want to go all-in on Tarik Skubal, Ray stands out as a workable fallback. The Giants’ plans aren’t exactly clear, either, which could keep the return from getting too expensive.
Foster Griffin is another left-hander who fits the profile, and his case is built on consistency. He owns a 2.87 ERA, 4.27 FIP and 1.04 WHIP, and Toronto already found success last season with a lefty who had spent time pitching in Asia.
Griffin also has a familiar connection to the organization. He made one relief appearance for the Blue Jays in 2022, then went to Japan from 2023 to 2025 and put together three strong seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. In his final year there, he posted a 1.62 ERA in 14 appearances.
That run earned him a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals, and he’s held his own there too. Over 17 starts, the almost 31-year-old has struck out nearly a batter per inning at 8.71 K/9. He won’t overpower hitters with a 91.4 mph fastball, but he works with a seven-pitch mix and has used it to stay effective all season.
In Other News...
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Injuries have already thinned the staff, and the possibility of more turnover before the deadline only makes that depth more important. Topas path has taken him through Minnesota and Seattle before this latest stop, and the Royals are giving themselves another experienced option to lean on if the pitching picture keeps shifting. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision That Could Change Everything
With the trade deadline drawing closer, the Royals find themselves juggling more than just their place in the standings. Injuries have thinned the roster, with Kyle Isbel dealing with a setback and Cole Ragans also in the mix, while Bobby Witt Jr. and Michael Wacha gave the club at least a little national recognition with All-Star nods. It is the kind of stretch that forces a front office to weigh short-term survival against the bigger picture, especially when the team has already shown it can be pushed around by a rough patch.
The Royals Rundown Podcast dug into that pressure point, along with the recent slide and the kinds of moves that could still be on the table if Kansas City decides to get aggressive. There is also uncertainty around Maikel Garcia, which only adds to the sense that the roster is in flux at exactly the wrong time. The bigger question now is whether the Royals follow a more cautious path or take a page from a rival that chose to act boldly when the deadline arrived. [Read more 🡒]