Ray (2-0) picked up the win against St. Louis on Thursday, striking out nine and walking five, while giving up two hits over six innings in the Diamondbacks' 3-1 victory.
Ray's fastball velocity was clocked at an average of 92.6 miles per hour and peaked at 95 miles per hour during his season debut in Friday's 9-8 victory over the Rockies, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic Arizona reports. The lefty averaged 94.5 miles per hour on his fastball in 2017 and typically peaked around the 97-to-98 mile-per-hour range.
Ray (1-0) picked up the victory despite getting lit up for seven runs (six earned) in five innings in what eventually became a 9-8 Diamondbacks victory over the Rockies on Friday.
Ray is scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Rockies, which would prevent him from pitching Opening Day on normal rest, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic Arizona reports.
Ray looks like the top candidate to start the Diamondbacks' season opener March 29 against the Rockies, Owen Perkins of MLB.com reports.
Ray surrendered one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters across 3.1 innings Friday in the Diamondbacks' 7-2 win over the Royals in Cactus League play.
Ray's home park in Arizona will install a humidor this season which could result in a significant drop in home runs, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Ray agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Ray was the pitcher of record in the Diamondbacks' 8-5 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday in Game 2 of the series. He lasted 4.1 innings and was charged with four runs on four hits, four walks and three wild pitches while striking out six batters.
Ray was charged with one run over 2.1 innings in relief Wednesday in the Diamondbacks' 11-8 win over the Rockies in the National League wild-card game. He gave up two hits and struck out three in the 34-pitch outing.