FYI:
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) The newest member of the Cincinnati Reds' rotation moved to the front of the line.
Right-hander Corey Lidle will start the Reds' season opener on April 5 against the Chicago Cubs, the first time the 31-year-old pitcher has received such an honor.
Manager Dave Miley announced his decision Tuesday, picking Lidle over holdovers Jimmy Haynes and Paul Wilson. Lidle signed a one-year contract for $2.75 million as a free agent from Toronto, where he went 12-15 with a 5.75 ERA last season.
The Cubs plan to start Kerry Wood at the front of a rotation that includes Mark Prior and Greg Maddux. The Reds' rotation is in flux less than two weeks from the season's start.
Wilson is expected to be the Reds' No. 2 pitcher after going 8-10 with a 4.64 ERA last season.
Haynes lost his first four starts last year and started only 18 games due to back problems, going 2-12 with a 6.30 ERA.