Surprise, Ariz. ? Luke Hochevar was picked Monday to start the Kansas City Royals’ season opener March 31 against the Los Angeles Angels.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Hochevar said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to get to do that and also the opportunity to prove myself. I think this year is a big year for me. I’m excited about it.”

Hochevar was 6-6 with a 4.81 earned-run average in 18 games last year. He missed 2 1/2 months with a right elbow strain.

The right-hander was the first player selected in the 2006 amateur draft.

“It’s his time,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a homegrown guy. He’s a guy I thought was really making strides last year when he got hurt. I think it’s his time to step up. I think he’s ready to take that next step.

“He hasn’t shown me anything that he can’t do this. I came in with an open mind, put them all together and see if anybody stands out. I think we’ve got a real good group of starters. Hoch didn’t do anything that would make me change my thinking.”

Yost said Jeff Francis, Kyle Davies and Bruce Chen, in that order, would start the next three games in the opening series against the Angels. Chen led the club with 12 wins last season.

“I wanted to break them up righty, lefty, righty, lefty,” Yost said. “Bruce and Francis are comparable. They throw from different arm angles, but they are both command guys and change speeds. I wanted to put a power guy in the midst of the two.”

The manager added that Vin Mazzaro would be the team’s fifth starter. He isn’t slated to make his first start until April 16 because of three early off days.