The San Francisco Giants’ Robbie Ray has been ruled out of this year’s All-Star Game after being scheduled to start the Giants’ final game before the break, preventing him from pitching on short rest. As a result, the league announced on Thursday that New York Mets left-hander David Peterson will take his place, marking Peterson’s first-ever All-Star selection. This adjustment brings the spotlight to Peterson as a deserving Robbie Ray All-Star replacement.
Robbie Ray’s Strong Season and Injury Recovery
Robbie Ray entered the All-Star break with a solid 2.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts over 113 innings pitched, despite some control issues reflected in 42 walks. This year marks Ray’s second All-Star nod and his first since 2017, a season overshadowed by his absence despite winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2021. The Giants’ investment in Ray, made by trading Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani to the Mariners two offseasons ago, has paid off handsomely as Ray bounced back from UCL surgery. Both Haniger and DeSclafani have struggled since the trade, highlighting the success of the Giants’ gamble.
David Peterson’s Journey to His First All-Star Appearance
David Peterson has spent his entire professional career with the Mets since being a first-round pick in the 2017 Draft from Oregon. After progressing steadily through the minor leagues, he made his major league debut in 2020 and quickly became a reliable pitcher in the Mets’ rotation. Despite setbacks with injuries and inconsistent performances over the years, the Mets maintained faith in him, allowing Peterson to develop into a dependable lefty. Last season, he showed significant improvement, finally finding consistency.
Peterson’s Performance Leading into the All-Star Break
In 2024, Peterson maintained a strong 2.90 ERA in 21 starts and continued this form into the current season. His stats before the break included a 3.06 ERA over 109 innings, with 93 strikeouts and 37 walks in 18 starts. At 29 years old, this All-Star selection is a major milestone in Peterson’s career and a testament to his perseverance and steady progress.
Implications of the All-Star Game Change
Peterson’s addition to the All-Star roster not only rewards his hard work but also highlights the strategic decisions of the Mets and Giants organizations. While Ray’s absence is a notable loss for the Giants, the opportunity given to Peterson could boost his confidence and standing within the league. This change also emphasizes the challenges players face managing workload during the season, especially for pitchers on short rest.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Robbie Ray’s walk rate?
A. Ray manages to deal with a relatively high walk rate of 3.6 walks per nine innings. He has achieved a 2.68 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. In his 15 starts, he recorded 97 strikeouts and 35 walks over 87.1 innings. He is expected to pitch at home against the Red Sox this weekend.