SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Bruce Chen, who led the Kansas City
Royals in wins the past two years, will be the opening day starter
on April 6 at the Los Angeles Angels.

     Manager Ned Yost made the announcement Tuesday after Chen had
his best spring training outing in a 9-7 victory over Milwaukee,
holding the Brewers to three runs and seven hits in six-plus
innings, while striking out six and walking one.

     Chen, a 34-year-old left-hander, went 12-8 with a 3.77 ERA in 25
starts last year and is 24-15 the past two seasons.

     Yost said right-hander Luke Hochevar, the 2011 opening day
starter, and left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, who was acquired in an
offseason trade with the San Francisco Giants, would start the
second and third games in the Angels series.

     The Royals have not yet determined who will be the fourth and
fifth game starters at Oakland.