The Toronto Blue Jays and starting pitcher Robbie Ray have agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal that will see the veteran lefty return north of the border in the 2021 season.
Ray, who was traded to the Jays from the Arizona Diamondbacks at this season’s trade deadline, will be back in order to help anchor a rotation which is looking to be a major factor as the team battles for another playoff berth.
The 29-year-old Ray didn’t have his best season in 2020, posting a career-worst 6.62 ERA along with a 2-5 record. He was better, though, after joining Toronto, putting up a 4.79 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.
Ray, a 2017 NL All-Star during his tenure with Arizona, was once considered one of the most promising young lefty arms in baseball. He has always had swing-and-miss stuff and posted plenty of strikeouts, but has at times struggled with control and home runs.
Toronto hopes that they will be able to count on Ray for 30+ starts next season and to help provide consistency and experience in their rotation alongside Hyun-Jin Ryu.
He’ll head to camp in Dunedin next February all but assured a rotation spot, provided that he can stay healthy.
