Price to start opening day for Tigers, not Verlander

FILE - In this March 16, 2015, file photo, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) works in the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. Price is getting the nod as opening-day starter for the Tigers, ending Justin Verlander's run of having that honor at seven straight seasons, the team announced Friday, March 20, 2015. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) FILE - In this March 16, 2015, file photo, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) works in the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. Price is getting the nod as opening-day starter for the Tigers, ending Justin Verlander's run of having that honor at seven straight seasons, the team announced Friday, March 20, 2015. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By Associated Press March 20, 2015 1 min read

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) – David Price is getting the nod as opening-day starter for the Detroit Tigers, ending Justin Verlander’s run of having that honor at seven straight seasons.

Tigers manager announced his decision about the starter at home April 6 against Minnesota on Friday.

Price was acquired from Tampa Bay at the July 31 trade deadline and had a better season than Verlander.

After a dominant run which included the 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award, Verlander struggled last year, going 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA. Price went 4-4 with a 3.59 ERA for Detroit and had a 3.26 ERA overall.

“I just hope that one year today (Verlander) will have proven me wrong,” Ausmus said. “It was a tough decision.”