D-backs’ Robbie Ray ‘feeling off’ in first start of spring training

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The grunt was in midseason form for Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray in his first start of the spring on Sunday. But the 27-year old left-hander admitted to feeling a “little off” after his outing against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark.

“You know, first inning was a little shaky,” said Ray after the start. “But I was able to get out of it, so I mean that’s a good sign. I felt like my curveball, my slider were really good. Fastball command was a little off today. I’m just feeling a little off physically today, so I felt like mentally I was able to battle through it.”

He clarified that he doesn’t feel injured or hurt, but he did feel off physically.

“Not sick but just feeling off a little bit,” he said. “It’s more like I’m exhausted. I don’t know what’s going on. Probably going to get sick here in a couple of days.”

With a condensed training camp that was partially rained out – or snowed out – due to some unseasonably cold weather in Scottsdale, there wasn’t as much time for preparation before spring training games were being played as there has been in the past.

Ray acknowledged the shortened time frame and weather may have played a factor in not feeling like his normal self.

“It might, I mean this cold weather’s not doing anybody any good. But I was able to come out and get my work in today, which is all that really matters.”

Ray pitched 1.1 innings in his start against the Indians and gave up one hit. He walked two, struck out two, and did not allow a run. His high pitch count in the first inning cut his day shorter than expected.

“I felt fine. I mean it’s just the first one of spring. A little excited for the first one, but yeah I felt like I got my work in.”

“Robbie did a really nice job,” said manager Torey Lovullo after the game. “I don’t think he was feeling 100 percent. He told me after his outing that he was feeling a little weak and under the weather.

“But he grinded it out, came all the way out here to Goodyear to throw 29 pitches, and I thought he did a good job of getting out of that first inning without much damage.”

In 24 starts in 2018, Ray was 6-2 with a 3.93 ERA and 165 strikeouts with a 1.350 WHIP in 123.2 innings pitched.

Following an offensive explosion, the D-backs get their first win of spring training, 12-3.

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