(SportsRadio 610) - Astros lefty Framber Valdez will get the Opening Day start when they travel to face the Los Angeles Angels on April 7, manager Dusty Baker announced Wednesday.
Reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani will start for the Angels.
This was to be expected after it was revealed earlier in the week that ace Justin Verlander, who is returning from Tommy John surgery after missing two seasons, would not be starting Opening Day.
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the Astros are starting Jake Odorizzi in the second game April 8, then Verlander takes the mound April 9. That leaves Jose Urquidy starting April 10 in the four-game series finale, and Luis Garcia starting the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 12.
For Valdez, this is his first Opening Day assignment. Last year, he went 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts after missing the first two months of the season with a broken finger.
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