Sonny Gray Scratched From A’s Opening Day Start With Food Poisoning

It was 70 degrees Monday afternoon in Oakland, but the Athletics’ ace was under the weather.

Sonny Gray has been scratched from his Opening Day start against the Chicago White Sox because of food poisoning. The A’s instead will turn to Rich Hill for Monday’s season opener.

This obviously is disappointing news for the A’s, who will be tasked with facing Chris Sale. A Gray-Sale showdown to begin the 2016 season had the potential to be a classic, as both pitchers are considered among the best in Major League Baseball.

Gray is coming off a 2015 season in which he went 14-7 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 31 starts. The 26-year-old finished third in American League Cy Young voting behind Houston Astros front man Dallas Keuchel and now-Boston Red Sox ace David Price.

Hill parlayed a four-start stretch run with Boston last season into a one-year, $6 million contract with Oakland. The 36-year-old is in line to make his first career Opening Day start.

Thumbnail photo via Ed Szczepanski/USA TODAY Sports Images