Free agent signee, Odalis Perez will be the Opening Day starter for the Washington Nationals when they open Nationals Park on March 30th against the Atlanta Braves. Perez is a former Brave and has had some pretty decent seasons in the past. He is looking to turn his career back around with the Nationals. Perez had this to say (courtesy of MLB.com):
“To hear the news that I would be the Opening Day guy, it makes me feel that the job I’ve done, I’m happy because I’m getting this opportunity that a lot of people want.”
Personally, I think it would have made more sense to go with someone like Jason Bergmann who spent the entire 2007 season with Nationals and showed some promise. He’ll get his chance in the future.
In related news, the Nats and their manager Manny Acta are still trying to nail down their starting rotation. They apparently are going to wait until the last moment to fill out the rest of the group. I guess competition is healthy.