Cease is looking to build off his first season in the majors and will introduce a tweak to his mechanics, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.
Cease's MLB debut was a bumpy one, as he went 4-7 with a 5.79 ERA in 14 starts. "One of (the things I learned) was more a physical adjustment with my front side," Cease said. "Not getting too rotational on my front side, that's the main thing that's going to be different. I think that's one of the big reasons I was having cutting issues with my fastball." Cease, who permitted 4.3 BB/9 and 1.8 HR/9, hopes the mechanical adjustment will allow him to pitch deeper into games. While his overall numbers were not pretty, the right-hander finished on an up note, allowing seven runs over 21 innings (3.00 ERA) with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in his final four starts. He's expected to slot in as the fourth starter in the rotation.