Offseason work results in Robbie Ray making the Opening Day roster

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Robbie Ray’s offseason work with new D-backs pitching coach Mike Butcher has paid off in his first Opening Day roster spot.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale announced Monday that Ray would be the team’s fifth starter in the rotation.

“I worked with Butch this offseason and early this spring and he and I kind of just fine-tuned some things,” Ray said. “I also just have more confidence than I had last year. Going out and having the year that I did last year gave me the confidence to come in this year and be able to do what I need to do.”

Ray pitched in the D-backs’ rotation for much of the last season, going 5-12 with a 3.52 earned run average in 23 starts. Ray had the lowest ERA among starters and tied with Patrick Corbin for fewest home runs allowed by a starter with nine.

For much of the spring before the announcement, Ray was in a battle with multiple pitchers for the coveted fifth spot. It made for fierce competition.

“I feel like every time out, you just go out and compete,’’ said Ray. “If you are not competing, then you are kind of on your heels a little bit and you might not be giving your full effort. I like going out and every day competing.”

Ray entered this spring feeling the strongest he has ever felt and is 2-0 with 14 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.

Hall of Famer Randy Johnson has also mentored the 24-year-old lefty and Ray said there are a lot of similarities between the two.

“It’s really just about mentality. He was a really good pitcher. He was left-handed and I am left-handed. He threw hard, I throw hard. There is a lot that I can take from him. Any compliment like that is a great one.”

Perhaps the biggest advice Ray received was what the 303-game winner told himself every time he stepped on the mound.

“He just has told me that one thing that worked for him was going out there and pitching like it was his last year going out, like his last game. I think it’s huge and if you go out there like it’s your last time, your going to give it all you got every time.”