SURPRISE, Ariz. -- San Diego Padres newcomer James Shields has been picked to start on Opening Day.
Padres manager Bud Black made the announcement Saturday.
San Diego opens the season April 6 at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shields has never pitched at Dodger Stadium.
Shields signed a four-year, $75 million deal with the Padres last month. The 33-year-old righty became a free agent after pitching for Kansas City in the World Series in October.
This will be Shields' seventh season-opening assignment. He pitched the last two for the Royals and did it four times with Tampa Bay.
Shields is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in five spring training starts. He labored through 95 pitches in 4 1/3 innings Friday against the Colorado Rockies.