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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Opening day is still 12 days away, but Robbie Ray is ready to start pitching for real.
Ray gave up two solo home runs Tuesday but otherwise was in control during a 5-inning outing against the Kansas City Royals. He finished with six strikeouts, one walk and four hits allowed in the Diamondbacks' 4-2 victory.
"I felt really good," Ray said. "I felt all my pitches were working for me. I had a good mix going today.
"If the season was next week, I'd feel like I'm ready to go. All my pitches are crisp."
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Ray's primary mission this spring has been throwing his breaking ball for strikes, which in theory should lead to lower pitch counts. He needed 78 pitches to get through five innings against the Royals.
"First pitch, I think it was 98 miles per hour, the next pitch was a breaking ball that broke off the table," manager Torey Lovullo said. "It's about developing a feel early in the game and continuing to use those pitches and pitching.
"What we're looking for is some early count outs so he doesn't drive up the pitch count. He's got three, four quality pitches that he can use at any time. And once he gets into a really good sequence with the catcher and gets in a rhythm with how he's using those pitches, it can be pretty impressive."
Ray has a 2.70 ERA in five spring training starts, with 18 strikeouts and five walks in 16 2/3 innings.
The other significant pitching development Tuesday was the return of closer Fernando Rodney from his stint with the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic.
In only his second outing with the D-backs, he pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning, striking out Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain back-to-back.
"Right in the heart of the lineup they sent over here today, and he handled it very very easily," Lovullo said. "Everybody was concerned that he didn't have a ton of outings, there wasn't a lot of usage in the WBC -- good, that means he's a little bit fresher for us.
"This was an impressive outing. And we're going to enjoy him."
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Chris Herrmann hit his second home run of the spring for the D-backs, who finished with eight hits.
Extra bases
The Diamondbacks reduced their spring roster to 44 by optioning right-handed reliever Evan Marshall to Triple-A Reno. Marshall had a 3.38 ERA in six spring appearances.
"We sent Ev out to get consistent work, consistent reps. Innings are starting to get a little more scarce," Lovullo said. "We should see him at some point this year."
>>Lovullo said he doesn't want to wait until the last two days of spring training to settle the D-backs' roster battles. Among those yet to be determined: Shortstop, fifth spot in the rotation, multiple shots in the bullpen and backup outfielder.
"On the last few days of spring training we don't want it to be a fire drill," he said. "We want it to be laid out and these guys can let their minds relax a little and great ready for Opening Day."
>>Rubby De La Rosa (elbow), Jake Barrett (shoulder), Steve Hathaway (shoulder) and Kevin Jepsen (thigh) all threw bullpen sessions Wednesday. Only Jepsen has appeared in game acation.
"They all looked really good and everybody reported feeling healthy," Lovullo said. "I think they're all ready to take the next step."
Silvino Bracho (thigh) is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Wednesday.
>>The D-backs are off on Wednesday, but Shelby Miller and Archie Bradley are scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game vs. the Giants minor leaguers to remain on their regular throwing schedule.
>>Outfielder A.J. Pollock (back) was hitless in three at-bats as a designated hitter in a minor-league game on Tuesday and could be back in the lineup as soon as Thursday.
Outfielder Yasmany Tomas (oblique) took some cuts in the batting cage Tuesday. "The next step will be an off day tomorrow, followed by two days of BP, and we'll see where he's at," Lovullo said.
>>Jerry Krause, general manager of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan era, when they won six NBA championships, died Tuesday at age 77. Krause was a member of the Diamondbacks organization from 2011 to 2015, most recently as a professional scout.
