SF Giants provide encouraging health updates for a pair of veteran pitchers

The SF Giants could be getting back a pair of pitchers shortly. Jordan Hicks began a rehab assignment with the San Jose Giants, whereas Robbie Ray threw a bullpen session on Wednesday according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

SF Giants provide encouraging health updates for a pair of veteran pitchers

Hicks threw two scoreless innings with San Jose in an outing against the Modesto Nuts. Interestingly, he appeared in a playoff game for the Giants Low-A affiliate. That is not an easy matchup for opposing hitters in the California League.

The veteran hurler did start the game for San Jose, but there is a good chance that he returns to the bullpen when he is activated. He landed on the injured list at the end of August after experiencing a bout of shoulder inflammation.

The 2024 season has been an interesting season for Hicks. He began the year in the Giants' rotation and the early returns were promising. However, he wore down as the season progressed, which the Giants likely expected given that he had not thrown more than 77.2 innings in the majors in any season before this one.

Hicks cleared that number with ease as he has thrown 108.1 frames. Overall, he has tallied a 3.90 ERA, 4.39 FIP, 7.9 K/9, and a 2.07 SO/W rate in 28 outings, including 20 starts.

On the other hand, Robbie Ray will return to the rotation once he is ready. The southpaw pitcher was placed on the injured list after sustaining a hamstring strain. In his absence, a pair of young hurlers have pitched well in spot starts.

Ray returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this season. The results were mixed and that is to be expected. Pitchers rarely regain their pre-surgery form immediately after returning to the mound. He has a 4.70 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 15 walks in 30.2 innings with the Giants this season. Ray has been a bit too prone to the long ball (1.8 HR/9).

The 32-year-old pitcher can opt out after this season, leaving two years and $50 million on the table. That is a lot of money for a pitcher returning from major surgery to walk away from, so there a high probability that he opts in to the remainder of his deal.

That was likely before the injury, but missing a handful of starts down the stretch made that decision a near certainty. The Giants hope that both Hicks and Ray can finish the year on a high note and build some confidence for the 2025 season.