Orioles name Gausman Opening Day starter

The Baltimore Orioles will hand the ball to Kevin Gausman when they open their season April 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

It's the first time the 26-year-old has been bestowed with Opening Day honors after Chris Tillman opened the last three seasons for Baltimore. Tillman will begin this season on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

"I've had some guys to pick from, I just thought Kevin was best equipped in a lot of different areas," manager Buck Showalter said, according to Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun. "We think Kevin is a guy who can help us put our best foot forward."

Gausman is coming off a breakout year in Baltimore, going 9-12 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts over 179 2/3 innings.

Dylan Bundy will get the ball for the second game of the season, while manager Showalter has yet to decide the rest of his rotation.