Ian Kennedy listed in Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day as a starter – MLB News
Kirk Gibson, the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks was pleased with the performance of right hand pitcher Ian Kennedy during the spring season and selected him in the Opening day.
After this exciting news, Kennedy said, "It's just a big honor. It's something you dream about as a little kid. You want to be that Opening Day guy. It's just a big honor. I'm at a loss for words."
Kennedy had to absorb the news when he was posed about the preparation for the start in Opening Day. He didn’t think about that position but now he is possibly going to prepare for that start which will be assigned in the Opening Day.
Ian had a Win-Loss record of 9-10 with an ERA of 3.80 in 32 starts for the Diamondbacks in the last season after being attained from the New York Yankees in a three-team agreement that also concerned the Detroit Tigers. His last season statistics were decent
and showed tremendous potential.
The Diamondbacks’ General Manager Kevin Towers said, "He pitched very well for this ballclub last year. He finished strong. He's a pitcher; this guy has four pitches. It's quite an honor for a young pitcher that's got less than two years' experience in the
big leagues."
Gibson stated that Daniel Hudson would start the second game of the season and Joe Saunders would fit in after that position. Armando Galarraga, Barry Enright and Aaron Heilman are competing for the last two spots in the regulation.
There were some considerations developed into the site that experienced Saunders was the leader to start Opening Day, but he did not throw any better in his last games and a flu problem has kept him out of the squad since last Friday.
Gibson was also not in favour of Saunders as he stated that Kennedy seems to be a better guy in pitching than Saunders. It's been a different spot for Kennedy since the last two years, as he joined the squad in 2010 and had to struggle for a position in
the alternation. He had also suffered a surgical treatment to recover an aneurysm and left out of the 2009 season.
Kennedy has worked hard during the spring season and it has paid off. It will be interesting to see how well he does as the starter in Opening day for the Diamondbacks. His main concern is to remain healthy and in good pitching form for the remainder of
spring training.
Ian was delighted with the decision of Gibson. Now it will be a new challenge for Kennedy to prove his starting spot.
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