The Arizona Diamondbacks spent $206.5 million to bring right-hander Zack Greinke to their club in the offseason, so it's no surprise they'll be handing the ball to the former Cy Young winner to start Opening Day.
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale told reporters on Wednesday that Greinke will get the starting nod when the club hosts the Colorado Rockies on April 4.
Arizona sent shock waves through the baseball world when they surprisingly signed the 32-year-old to the richest contract in baseball history for a pitcher on Dec. 8 after he was pursued by numerous clubs, including the Los Angeles Dodgers who he pitched for over the previous three seasons.
Greinke will headline a starting staff that also includes offseason acquisition Shelby Miller, as the Diamondbacks compete for their first NL West title since 2011.
2016 PROJECTED ROTATION
PLAYER | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP |
---|---|---|---|---|
Zack Greinke | 222.2 | 19-3 | 1.66 | 0.84 |
Shelby Miller | 205.1 | 6-17 | 3.02 | 1.25 |
Patrick Corbin | 85 | 6-5 | 3.60 | 1.27 |
Rubby De La Rosa | 188.2 | 14-9 | 4.67 | 1.36 |
Robbie Ray | 127.2 | 5-12 | 3.52 | 1.33 |
The Diamondbacks finished the 2015 campaign third in the NL West with 79 wins and are projected by PECOTA to win 78 games next season.