DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Boyd’s status as Detroit’s starter for the season opener is now official.
Manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed Sunday that Boyd would start the opener, then the 29-year-old left-hander admitted he’d been told about the assignment months ago — before the coronavirus shut down spring training.
Boyd said he was told again he would pitch the opener shortly after the Tigers reconvened for their second training camp.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd smiles during an intrasquad baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd is greeted at the dugout after being relieved during a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, March 10, 2020, in Lakeland, Fla. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) 
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd delivers a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Detroit is set to begin the abbreviated 2020 season Friday night at Cincinnati.
Boyd took some big steps forward last year, finishing sixth in the American League with 238 strikeouts.
