By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Cory Lidle isn't too well versed in Cincinnati's Opening Day tradition. But he's learning.

Cory Lidle will be the Opening Day starter. (Michael E. Keating photo)

"I know it didn't sell out in 16 minutes because they wanted to see me," Lidle said.

Maybe, but the fans will get to see plenty of Lidle on Opening Day. The Reds officially named him the starter for the April 5 contest against the Chicago Cubs.

"I'm excited," Lidle said. "It's somewhat of a surprise. I hadn't put too much thought into to it. A player doesn't have a say in it."

Lidle, 32, a right-hander, won the job by going 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in four spring starts.

"He's thrown well," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "He's a competitor. He knows how to pitch."

Paul Wilson was the early favorite to get the nod. But Wilson has struggled this spring. He entered Tuesday's start against the Yankees with a 1-2 record and 8.76 ERA.

"We could have gone either way , quite honestly," Miley said. "But with the way Cory has thrown, we went that way."

Wilson will start Game 2 of the Cubs series. "Then it is TBA, TBA," Miley said.

The other veteran starter, Jimmy Haynes, will be in the rotation unless he has a setback.

Jesus Sanchez, Jose Acevedo, Brandon Claussen and Aaron Harang remain in the running for the fourth and fifth spots.

Lidle was the Reds' big free agent acquisition this offseason. He signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal. He was 12-15 with a 5.75 ERA with the Toronto Blue Jays last season. But he pitched much of the year with a groin strain.

Lidle was 21-16 with a 3.74 ERA in the two previous seasons with the Oakland A's.

Lidle has heeded the Reds' edict to pitch to contact this spring. He's gone 17 innings, allowing 16 hits, three walks and striking out six.

Miley told Lidle he was the Opening Day starter Friday after his last inning of work against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

"I thought they were going to ask me if I wanted to pitch another inning," Lidle said. "It wasn't expected."

Opening Day

Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 2:10 p.m., April 5 at Great American Ball Park. (Sold out).