**Robbie Ray Stays with San Francisco Giants, Declines Opt-Out Option**

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray has decided to stay with the team, electing not to opt out of his contract which has two years and $50 million remaining, according to sources from ESPN. The 33-year-old left-hander completed his comeback season from Tommy John surgery, where he managed to make seven starts before a hamstring strain ended his run in late August. Ray posted a 4.70 ERA with 43 strikeouts, 15 walks, and six home runs allowed over 30⅔ innings.

Ray’s journey with the Giants began following a trade from the Seattle Mariners, who had originally signed him to a lucrative five-year, $115 million contract after his Cy Young-winning season in 2021. Over the span of his 11-year career, Ray has compiled a 77-73 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1,548 strikeouts, 535 walks, and 194 home runs allowed over 1,258.2 innings.

As Ray returns, he will bolster a rotation that already includes ace Logan Webb and left-hander Kyle Harrison. However, the rotation faces uncertainties beyond these three pitchers. Right-handers Hayden Birdsong, Keaton Winn, Mason Black, and Landon Roupp all had opportunities as starters this past season, while Jordan Hicks alternated between starting and relief roles. Additionally, left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, the organization’s top pitching prospect, could also compete for a starting spot.

In an effort to strengthen the pitching rotation, the Giants, who recently replaced their president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi with former star player Buster Posey, are expected to be active in the free agency market. With a projected payroll around $150 million, they might pursue top pitcher Corbin Burnes, solidifying their efforts to improve after an 80-82 season.