Kansas City Royals name RHP Edinson Volquez as Opening Day starter

The World Series champion Kansas City Royals named right-hander Edinson Volquez as their Opening Day starter against the New York Mets.

Volquez will face Mets right-hander Matt Harvey on April 3 at Kauffman Stadium in a rematch of Game 5 in the World Series.

"It was an easy decision," Royals manager Ned Yost said Saturday. "We weighted the year he had last year. And we thought it would be cool: When was the last time two starting pitchers pitched consecutive games? Game 5 starters are matching up again."

Volquez went 13-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 34 games last season.

"It'll be like a video we're watching over and over," Volquez said. "Going to face Harvey again. It will be a great game."