Tigers announce David Price as Opening Day starter

DETROIT – Manager Brad Ausmus announced Friday that David Price will start for the Tigers on Opening Day in Detroit.

Price will battle Minnesota Twins ace Phil Hughes on April 6.

Price, who came over from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade deadline deal last season, won the battle over fellow starter Justin Verlander, who started Opening Day each of the last seven years for Detroit.

Price posted a 3.59 ERA in 11 games with the Tigers, striking out 82 hitters in 77.2 innings. The overpowering lefty is on the final year of his deal in 2015. He owns a career ERA of 3.21 in seven seasons and beat out Verlander for his only Cy Young award in 2012.

Verlander battled through the worst season of his career in 2014, posting a 4.54 ERA while battling the residual effects of an offseason core muscle surgery. Ausmus has yet to announce when Verlander will pitch first this season.