Cease allowed one run on six hits and struck out 11 over 5.1 innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Rockies.
Cease cruised in his final tune-up before the regular season, throwing 86 pitches (58 strikes) with a fastball touching the upper 90s in what was his finest Cactus League start. The lone blemish was a solo home run by C.J. Cron in the second inning. Cease leaves Arizona with a boost of confidence in preparation to start the fourth game of the season April 4 against the Angels in Los Angeles. He allowed just two runs over 17 innings this spring.