SURPRISE, Ariz. — Bruce Chen, who led the Kansas City Royals in wins the past two years, will be the opening day starter on April 6 at the Los Angeles Angels.
Manager Ned Yost made the announcement Tuesday after Chen had his best spring training outing in a 9-7 victory over Milwaukee, holding the Brewers to three runs and seven hits in six-plus innings, while striking out six and walking one.
Chen, a 34-year-old left-hander, went 12-8 with a 3.77 ERA in 25 starts last year and is 24-15 the past two seasons.
Yost said right-hander Luke Hochevar, the 2011 opening day starter, and left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the San Francisco Giants, would start the second and third games in the Angels series.
The Royals have not yet determined who will be the fourth and fifth game starters at Oakland.