PHOENIX (AP) — Oakland manager Bob Melvin says Brandon McCarthy will be the Athletics opening day pitcher.
The A’s open their season in Japan on March 28. Melvin says Bartolo Colon will start the second game the following day.
Melvin said Tuesday that McCarthy earned the assignment based on last year’s accomplishments and the offseason trades of All-Star pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill.
McCarthy recorded career highs in wins, starts, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts last season. He was 9-9 in 25 starts, with 123 strikeouts in 170 2-3 innings.
