Corbin Burnes will be the Opening Day starter for the Baltimore Orioles, as expected, after the All-Star right-hander was acquired from Milwaukee Brewers in a trade last month.
Manager Brandon Hyde made the obvious official with the announcement Sunday.
“A real honor for me to let him know,” Hyde told reporters in Florida. “We’ve been talking about it for a while, and we’re real excited to watch him pitch on Opening Day.”
The Orioles made the move for an ace coming off an American League-best 101 wins last season before they were swept by the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers in the AL Division Series.
It’s the third consecutive Opening Day start for the 29-year-old Burnes, who got the nod the past two seasons with the Brewers.
“It’s not something to be taken for granted,” Hyde said. “It’s a really cool moment for anybody to be able to have that honor. I know he’s very appreciative.”