Rays replace injured starter; Skenes starts for Pirates

Major League Baseball's 2025 Opening Day is approaching, and teams are finalizing their starting pitchers. Managers are making announcements during spring training, but some decisions may change due to injuries. In Arizona, Zac Gallen will start for the Diamondbacks, having had a successful 2024 season. The Athletics named Luis Severino as their Opening Day starter after he signed a record contract with the team. Chris Sale will lead the Braves on the road against the Padres, aiming to repeat his Cy Young-winning performance. Zach Eflin will start for the Orioles in Toronto, while Garrett Crochet makes his debut as the Opening Day pitcher for the Red Sox in Texas. The Cubs will send Shota Imanaga to the mound in Tokyo for two games. Rookie Sean Burke will start for the White Sox, taking over after Garrett Crochet was traded. Hunter Greene will pitch for the Reds against the Giants. Tanner Bibee is set to lead the Guardians in Kansas City due to Shane Bieber's injury. Kyle Freeland will start for the Rockies against the Rays. The reigning AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, will start for the Tigers in Los Angeles. Framber Valdez will pitch for the Astros, making his fourth consecutive Opening Day start. Cole Ragans was chosen to lead the Royals, while Yusei Kikuchi will start for the Angels in Chicago. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers in Japan. Sandy Alcantara returns to start for the Marlins after recovering from injury. Freddy Peralta will pitch for the Brewers against the Yankees, while Pablo López takes the mound for the Twins. Clay Holmes will start for the Mets as they face the Astros. Carlos Rodón was chosen for the Yankees with Gerrit Cole injured. Zack Wheeler will pitch for the Phillies against the Nationals, and Paul Skenes, the top pick of the 2023 draft, will start for the Pirates against the Marlins. Sonny Gray will pitch for the Cardinals against the Twins. Michael King will lead the Padres at home against the Braves, and Logan Webb will start for the Giants against the Reds. Finally, Logan Gilbert will begin for the Mariners against the Athletics.