SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. >> Whether Anthony DeSclafani is able to rediscover his 2021 form could be a determining factor in the Giants’ 2023 fortunes.

If his first Cactus League start was any indication, then San Francisco is in good hands.

DeSclafani, one of six starters vying for rotation spots, breezed through two scoreless innings Friday afternoon in an eventual 3-2 exhibition win against the Colorado Rockies, striking out three batters — all in a row — and allowing only one baserunner. His fastball sat at 92-94 mph, according to the publicly displayed radar gun inside Scottsdale Stadium, and he used a mix of pitches to record his three punchouts.

“It felt like it was back to me for the most part,” DeSclafani said. “It felt like the ball was coming out of my hand well, the shapes were there and I was throwing stuff for strikes. ... I was just looking to go out there, throw strikes and feel good. That was the first thing. Having the results there for the first outing was just a plus.”

It was DeSclafani’s first game action since last June, before he underwent surgery to repair the peroneal tendon in his right ankle.

“That looked like him at his best in 2021,” said manager Gabe Kapler, who has previously described DeSclafani’s physical condition as the best he’s seen from the pitcher since arriving in San Francisco. “I feel good about his performance today.”

After going 0-2 with a 6.63 ERA before his July operation ended his season, DeSclafani is fighting for a rotation spot this year in a group that also includes Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea — five other established major-league starters.

“I felt pretty in control for the most part,” DeSclafani said of returning from his extended absence. “Once I knew it was go time and compete mode, I just reverted back to what I’ve always done and what I remember.”

DeSclafani’s three strikeout victims: Charlie Blackmon, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon — the veritable heart of the Rockies’ order.

“Those strikeouts are going to happen to anybody,” DeSclafani said, “as long as I’m throwing strikes and executing pitches.”