The Seattle Mariners just received some very tough news regarding Robbie Ray – the team’s ace pitcher will be out for the rest of the 2023 season.
According to reports, Ray will require surgery to repair his flexor tendon, a procedure that will take him out of action for the remaining games of the year. The injury is a significant setback for the Mariners, who are in the midst of a playoff push and were relying heavily on Ray to anchor their rotation.
Ray, who was acquired by the Mariners in the offseason in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. He leads the American League in strikeouts and has a 12-4 record with a 2.52 ERA in 155.1 innings pitched.
The news of Ray’s injury is a blow for a Mariners team that has exceeded expectations this season. Despite being projected by many to finish near the bottom of the American League West, the Mariners currently sit just a few games out of a playoff spot and were hoping that Ray’s dominant performances would help propel them to the postseason.
In Ray’s absence, the Mariners will need other pitchers to step up and fill the void in the rotation. The team will likely turn to Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Flexen, and Tyler Anderson to carry the load, but there’s no denying that losing Ray is a significant blow to a team that was starting to gain momentum.
The success of the Mariners this season has largely been due to their excellent pitching staff. Without Ray, the team will need to rely even more heavily on the likes of closer Kendall Graveman and setup man Paul Sewald to keep games close.
Despite the setback, there’s still reason for optimism for the Mariners. The team has been playing well all season and has shown that they have the talent to compete with the best teams in the league. If they can continue to play at a high level and get contributions from their other pitchers and key players, there’s still a chance that they can make a postseason push.
For Ray, the injury is a tough break in what has been a fantastic season for the left-hander. He’ll now focus on rehabbing and getting healthy for next season, where he’ll look to continue his dominance on the mound.
