TEMPE, Ariz. -- Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way sensation who is coming off a unanimous American League MVP selection, will start Opening Day for the Los Angeles Angels, manager Joe Maddon said Friday.
Maddon made the announcement just minutes after informing Ohtani of the assignment in a brief meeting. It was hardly a surprise, given Ohtani's excellent 2022 season and his standing within an Angels rotation that is once again littered with questions.
"It just tastes right, feels right, is right," Maddon said.
Ohtani's Opening Day start -- against the visiting Houston Astros on April 7 -- will come with him also serving as the team's designated hitter.