Harang Named the Opening Day Starter

Based on performance Bronson Arroyo probably deserves to be the Opening Day starter on April 5 but the honor will go to Aaron Harang for the fifth straight year.

Dusty Baker has lined up his spring pitching rotation so that Aaron Harang will start on Opening Day for the fifth straight year. "We wrestled with it big time, but we talked to both Harang and Arroyo. The answers I got and the answers I didn't get we made the decision. Harang seems to pitch better against the other teams best pitcher. Confidence wise and innings wise we decided it made more sense."

Harang is excited about being chosen. "You have to have a different approach with all the hoopla. After you've done it once, you know how to do it," Harang said. Harang is excited but believes that Bronson Arroyo deserved the honor as the team's ace. "We talked about it," Harang said. "Since he's been here Bronson and I have been on the same page. We feed off each other. We compliment each other. His style and mine are opposite."

New pitching coach, Bryan Price and Baker told the two of them a couple days ago.

"Harang has been throwing the ball really well," Baker said. "By talking to both of them we came up with the decision. Bronson doesn't care whether he's fourth or fifth. No one is more honest than Bronson. You may not like his answer but he gives you an honest answer. I love that." Baker also said that Arroyo may not be the second pitcher.

Baker wants to break up the pair because he knows they will give him innings and not tax his bullpen. "You know Harang will give you six and Bronson will give you innings. Cueto is more inconsistent and Bailey we don't know. If you have the two together and the others don't give you innings then you have to use up your pen. When that happens in Harang's next start you have to make him go longer than he should."

Chapman Will Make Cactus League Debut on Tuesday

Aroldis Chapman, the cuban defector that signed with the Reds for $10 million, will face the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday March 8.

First Chapman will pitch an inning in the Reds intrasquad game on Thursday.