Pair of SF Giants pitchers begin rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League

The SF Giants starting rotation could be getting reinforcements back soon enough. Both Robbie Ray (elbow surgery) and Keaton Winn (forearm) began rehab assignments in the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday night.

Pair of SF Giants pitchers begin rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League

For Ray, it represented his first official outing with the Giants organization. He came over to the Giants in the offseason in a three-player deal that sent Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani to the Seattle Mariners.

Ray only made one appearance with Seattle last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. In his last full season in 2022, the veteran hurler pitched to a 3.71 ERA in 32 starts in the first year of a five-year, $115 million pact.

The recovery timeline ranges from 12 - 18 months with Ray coming in on the quicker end of that timeline. The southpaw pitcher tallied three strikeouts in one scoreless inning on Tuesday. His rehab assignment will be on the longer end given the nature of the surgery, meaning that he will likely return right around the All-Star break barring a setback.

On the other hand, Winn could be back soon. The 26-year-old pitcher allowed one earned run on one hit, two walks, and six strikeouts in 3.1 frames in his rehab outing. He battled forearm discomfort before landing on the injured list at the start of May.

The forearm issue has flared a couple of times over the past 12 months. That is not the most encouraging sign given that is can be a precursor to Tommy John surgery. Winn did undergo Tommy John surgery in 2021. For now, the Giants feel confident that the forearm discomfort is not a major setback.

The right-handed hurler got off to a solid start this season while working out of the rotation. He posted a 3.17 ERA through his first six starts. However, he allowed 17 earned runs over his next three starts (8.1 innings), raising his ERA to 6.17.

The Giants have been going with a few extra bullpen games in Winn's absence so there is a good chance that he returns to the rotation when he is ready. After a relatively length rehab outing, he could be activated as soon as his next turn in the rotation.