The A’s announced Sunday, via MLB.com’s Jane Lee, that right-hander Sonny Gray will start on Opening Day, March 31, against the Indians.
He will be followed in the Oakland starting rotation by Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez, Dan Straily, and Tommy Milone -- in that exact order.
Gray, 24, had a 2.67 ERA (140 ERA+), 1.019 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts in 64 innings last season. He then made two postseason starts, posting a 2.08 ERA and striking out 12 batters across 13 frames.
The 2014 Opening Day nod probably would have gone to Jarrod Parker, but he is out for the season after undergoing the second Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery of his career.
Chavez will be taking Parker’s spot, at least initially.
