Pirates tab Taillon for Opening Day start

Right-hander Jameson Taillon will be Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced Saturday. The March 28 outing against the Reds in Cincinnati will mark the 27-year-old's first season-opening assignment.

Hurdle said that Taillon will be followed by right-handers Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. Veteran right-hander Chris Archer will start Pittsburgh's home opener on April 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals. "I believe Jamo's earned it across the board," Hurdle told reporters. "Trevor did some nice things. Archer's done it in the past. There is an important aspect of the Opening Day at home for me as well, so we've put two men in play that we think will represent the club the best way we can to get out of the blocks clean and set up the first four games of the season."

Taillon went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts last season. "It's a big honor to kick off the season for the boys, try to set the tone," Taillon told reporters. "Obviously, I care about the body of work but it's a big honor. Growing up as a fan of baseball, there was a certain (aura) about being the Opening Day starter."

Pittsburgh hasn't yet selected a fifth starter. --Field Level Media