For the first time since signing with Seattle in free agency, lefty pitcher Robbie Ray could make his return to Toronto, as the Blue Jays host the Mariners in the AL Wild Card round.
Ray was the Blue Jays' ace last season, as the starting pitcher posted a 2.84 ERA and a 13-7 record on his way to winning the 2021 AL Cy Young. He had a league-high 248 strikeouts, helping him beat out Gerrit Cole for the award.
A reunion in Toronto was supposed to happen earlier this season, as the Blue Jays hosted a three-game set against the Mariners in May. However, Ray was not a part of that trip north of the border for Seattle due to the fact that he is unvaccinated.
While Ray did not travel with his team for the first trip to Toronto, he will be with the Mariners this weekend. Policy changes from the Canadian government now allow players like Ray to travel into Canada for the MLB playoffs without having to quarantine.
It is unclear if the Blue Jays will face Ray in the series. Luis Castillo is scheduled to start Game 1 against Alek Manoah, while both teams' Game 2 starters have not been decided. Seattle may ride with Ray on Saturday, or may choose to go with the young righty Logan Gilbert.
MORE: Blue Jays vs. Mariners schedule
Either way, Ray now will be at the Rogers Centre for the first time since he donned the Blue Jays uniform.
Robbie Ray vaccination status
When Ray left the Blue Jays in free agency, a return to Toronto was set for May with the Mariners traveling to Canada to play a three-game set against the Blue Jays. However, Ray was not a part of the group that came to the Rogers Centre.
Due to his unvaccinated status, Ray did not make the trip with the team. At the time, any unvaccinated player had to quarantine for 14 days once he entered the country. He, along with reliever Drew Steckenrider, stayed back in Seattle.
There were some mixed reports on Ray's consideration for getting the vaccine if needed by playoff time. However, with the new policies in place, Ray is not required to get the vaccine to play against Toronto.
Why can Robbie Ray pitch in Canada for the MLB playoffs?
Canada announced that it will drop its vaccine requirement for people entering the country on October 1, according to a release from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
With the policy change now official, unvaccinated players are allowed to participate in games held in Canada without having to quarantine for the previously required 14 days. Now, any unvaccinated player can enter the country at any time.
With the adjustments to the restrictions, Ray is now eligible to travel to Toronto with the Mariners for the postseason. If the requirements remained in place, Ray would’ve had to get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 5 at the very latest in order to be eligible to participate according to the Spokesman-Review.
Robbie Ray 2022 stats
In his first season with the Mariners, Ray took a step back after his Cy Young-winning season in 2021. His ERA jumped back up from 2.84 last year to 3.71 this season, Ray's fourth-lowest mark in his career. He struck out fewer batters in 2022 (212 compared to 248 last year) and walked more as well (62 in 2022, 52 in 2021).
Ray's ERA was fourth on Seattle among their starters, with Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert all posting better marks. However, only Gilbert won more games, securing victories on the year.
| Games | Record | ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 12-12 | 3.71 | 1.19 | 189.0 | 10.1 |
