Three weeks before full-squad workouts begin in Surprise, Ariz., Royals manager Ned Yost was in no rush to anoint an opening day starter. But one of the primary candidates for the assignment, veteran right-hander Edinson Volquez, had his own take on the subject: He’s fine if he doesn’t start opening day.
“I don’t like it anymore,” Volquez said last month while returning to Kansas City for Royals FanFest. “I like to enjoy the opening day. All the shows and people (and) fans. When you pitch opening day, you don’t have too much chance to enjoy it. You got to go to the bullpen, warm up and jump in the game.