What It Means:

That was the expectation already, but it's now official. Hellickson was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks over the winter after posting a 4.62 ERA and 121/43 K/BB ratio over 146 innings last season. While he's getting the nod on Opening Day, Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, and Vincent Velasquez are more interesting options in this rotation in fantasy leagues. Nola and Charlie Morton will follow Hellickson in the rotation, which lines up Nola to start the home opener on April 11.

Hellickson posted a 4.16 xFIP last season and his 19.0 strikeout percentage was below the league average of 20.4 percent. We project him to record a 4.73 ERA and a 19.4 strikeout percentage in 164 innings pitched in 2016.