Shields named Opening Day starter

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – The worst kept secret around the Tampa Bay Rays is now official: James Shields will start Opening Day on March 31 at Baltimore.

Rays manager Joe Maddon told Shields before Wednesday’s game against the Phillies.

“He was very excited,” Maddon said. “This young man is quite a competitor, and he said, ‘I’m ready. I’m ready to do this.’ I said we know you’re ready to do this.”

The spot came open when it became evident that Scott Kazmir will not be ready by the start of the season. The lefty, who pitched the previous two season openers for the Rays, is still trying to work his way back from a strained left elbow sustained Feb. 26.

“It's one of the biggest honors a starter could ever have,” Shields said. “I've worked hard to get here so it's very gratifying.”

Shields was 12-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 31 starts last season.

He’s 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in four starts this spring.

“If Kaz can’t do that we have a pretty good alternative in Mr. Shields,” Maddon said.

Kazmir is 0-1 with a no-decision in his two starts. He took the loss at Baltimore in 2006 and received the no-decision last April at Yankee Stadium.

“The unfortunate thing about it is you don't like to get it this way without Kaz,” Shields said. “But now that I am (the Opening Day starter), I'll be doing the best I can. And hopefully he'll be back real soon. Like I've said all along, he’s our ace.”