(Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
There was no other choice. Not when it came to the San Diego Padres and the decision to name Yu Darvish the Opening Day starter.
San Diego acquired Darvish from the Chicago Cubs this offseason, along with his personal catcher Victor Caratini, looking for a proven veteran to anchor its pitching staff. All spring, the big right-hander lived up to the hype, dominating in his first two starts before struggling against one of his former clubs, the Texas Rangers, on March 25.
“Needless to say how honored I am to be given the opportunity to pitch on Opening Day,” Darvish told MLB.