Pirates' Skenes Set to Become Youngest Opening Day Starter Since 2014

Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is set to become the youngest pitcher to start a season opener in 11 years at 22 years and 302 days old when the Pirates face Miami on March 27. This achievement makes him the fastest first overall draft pick to make an opening day start since he was selected by the Pirates in 2023. Major League Baseball also noted that three Japanese pitchers will start on opening day, a record for the league, with Shota Imanaga and Yoshinobu Yamamoto taking the mound in Tokyo earlier this week. Yusei Kikuchi is also scheduled to start for the Los Angeles Angels against the Chicago White Sox. Meanwhile, Arizona and Cleveland have yet to announce their opening day starters, with Arizona weighing options between Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen. The remainder of the teams will also kick off their seasons on March 27.