Robbie Ray isn’t mincing words about what matters most heading into 2026: stay healthy, stay consistent, and let the results take care of themselves.
That was the message from the Giants’ left-hander during FanFest in Sacramento on Saturday, as he laid out his goals for the season in simple, direct terms. After a bounce-back 2025 campaign that saw him re-establish himself as a frontline starter, Ray is laser-focused on durability – and with good reason.
“The biggest thing is staying healthy, making all my starts,” Ray said. “Going out each time and giving my team a chance to win, keep us in ballgames.
Obviously, as a starting pitcher, 200 innings is kind of a goal every year. So, if I can stay healthy, I think I can do that.”
That 200-inning mark isn’t just a round number – it’s a statement. In today’s game, where pitch counts and bullpen usage dominate the conversation, a starter who can shoulder that kind of load is a rare commodity. And for Ray, who’s already proven he can handle a heavy workload when healthy, it’s a realistic target.
The emphasis on health isn’t coming out of nowhere. Ray’s journey back to full strength has been anything but easy.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery, he was sidelined for most of 2023 and didn’t return to a big-league mound until July 2024 – shortly after the Giants acquired him that January. He managed just seven starts that year, but they served as a springboard into a full offseason of preparation and, ultimately, a resurgent 2025.
And what a comeback it was. Ray not only returned to form – he earned his second career All-Star nod and became a cornerstone of San Francisco’s rotation. He made 32 starts and logged over 180 innings, a significant leap from the 30 innings he’d thrown combined over the previous two seasons.
“Personally, I felt like it was a good year to build off of,” Ray said. “My first full season off surgery, being able to throw 182 innings after only throwing 30 innings the past two years for me was huge.”
That kind of leap isn’t just about physical recovery – it’s about rhythm, confidence, and trust in your stuff. Ray showed all of that in 2025.
He gave the Giants length, stability, and competitive outings nearly every time out. And now, with a clean bill of health and a full season under his belt, he’s aiming even higher.
With Opening Day just under two months away – a marquee matchup against the Yankees at Oracle Park on March 25 – Ray is positioning himself to be more than just a reliable arm. He wants to be the guy the Giants can count on every fifth day, the one who sets the tone for a team with postseason aspirations.
If he hits that 200-inning goal, there’s a good chance the Giants will be right in the thick of things come October. And for Ray, that starts now – with a healthy arm, a clear mindset, and a season full of opportunity ahead.
