Ray allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 5.1 innings Saturday against the Giants.
Ray has been a strikeout machine this spring, fanning 32 over 16.1 innings. The Diamondbacks are hoping they get the 2017 version of Ray (2.89 ERA, 12.1 K/9). In 2018, he struggled with an oblique injury and inconsistency. "This year, he's a different guy," manager Torey Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "His stuff is really standing out, it's coming out hot and I know he worked hard to make that happen. So we're looking for him to have a big year." The Diamondbacks are pleased with the increase in Ray's fastball velocity, which is back to where it was in 2017. The left-hander is expected to start the second game of the season, March 29, against the Dodgers.