SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Aaron Harang was promoted to the front of the Cincinnati Reds' rotation and could start opening day.
"Aaron Harang definitely deserves a chance at it, but we'll see what happens," manager Jerry Narron said.
Unless another starter is more impressive or Harang falters during spring training, he'll be in line to start for the Reds against the Chicago Cubs on April 3 at Great American Ball Park.
"It's an honor for anybody, especially here, the oldest franchise in major league baseball," Harang said.
The 27-year-old right-hander was the bright spot in an otherwise dreary rotation last season. Reds starters had the worst collective ERA in the NL at 5.38, more than offsetting an imposing offense that scored an average of five runs a game.
Harang went 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 starts, leading the staff in wins, strikeouts (163) and innings (211 2-3). He had one of Cincinnati's two complete games.
The numbers could have been much better. An offense that led the NL in scoring managed two or fewer runs in 12 of his 32 starts. And a bullpen that also ranked among the NL's worst blew three save chances in his first seven starts. The 211 2-3 innings were a career high and the most by a Reds pitcher since 1996.
Paul Wilson started last season's opener, but is recovering from shoulder surgery. Left-handers Dave Williams, Brandon Claussen and Eric Milton will follow Harang in the rotation for now, with Justin Germano and left-hander Mike Gosling in the running to fill in for Wilson if he's not ready by opening day.
"Aaron Harang definitely deserves a chance at it, but we'll see what happens," manager Jerry Narron said.
Unless another starter is more impressive or Harang falters during spring training, he'll be in line to start for the Reds against the Chicago Cubs on April 3 at Great American Ball Park.
"It's an honor for anybody, especially here, the oldest franchise in major league baseball," Harang said.
The 27-year-old right-hander was the bright spot in an otherwise dreary rotation last season. Reds starters had the worst collective ERA in the NL at 5.38, more than offsetting an imposing offense that scored an average of five runs a game.
Harang went 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 starts, leading the staff in wins, strikeouts (163) and innings (211 2-3). He had one of Cincinnati's two complete games.
The numbers could have been much better. An offense that led the NL in scoring managed two or fewer runs in 12 of his 32 starts. And a bullpen that also ranked among the NL's worst blew three save chances in his first seven starts. The 211 2-3 innings were a career high and the most by a Reds pitcher since 1996.
Paul Wilson started last season's opener, but is recovering from shoulder surgery. Left-handers Dave Williams, Brandon Claussen and Eric Milton will follow Harang in the rotation for now, with Justin Germano and left-hander Mike Gosling in the running to fill in for Wilson if he's not ready by opening day.
