‘Big smile’: Montas to start opener

Frankie Montas, who arrived at A’s camp in apparent midseason form, will take the mound for their midsummer season opener. Manager Bob Melvin named Montas the Opening Night starter for next Friday’s game against the Angels at the Coliseum. Montas will be followed in the rotation by Sean Manaea, Mike Fiers, Chris Bassitt and A.J. Puk, roughly the order the starters have pitched in camp.

Montas had “a big smile on his face” when told Friday and is “ready to go,” Melvin said.

Montas was on track for an AllStar nod last year, starting 92 with a 2.70 ERA, before being suspended for 80 games due to testing positive for a banned substance. The righthander said Saturday the Opening Night nod “means a lot.”

“After what happened last year, I’m just happy to be able to contribute, just be able to help the team and do whatever I can for a full season,” Montas said on a video call.

“I feel like every pitcher, that’s one of their dreams to be able to pitch Opening Day, and for me that’s huge.” During MLB’s shutdown, Montas trained in Arizona — throwing up to four simulated innings on some days — and he reported to camp looking ready for the season, teammates said. Montas said he will likely be able to throw up to 90 pitches in the opener.

“He was very prepared,” Melvin said. “There’s a lot to like about him. He throws close to 100 mph with two really good breaking pitches and really came into his own last year. … He’s a good guy to lead off with.”

Starters may be less built up than usual to begin, given the shorter training camp. But Melvin said the A’s feel all five starters could reach 75 to 85 pitches in their first outings and the A’s won’t plan to piggyback with specific relievers.

Briefly: Lefthander Jesús Luzardo “threw good” in a bullpen session Friday and “kept himself as ready as you can” missing the first two weeks of camp with the coronavirus, Melvin said. … Under dugout physicaldistancing guidelines, the A’s will have about 10 bench spots and room for several people to stand, Melvin said. Tents behind dugouts and bullpens at the Coliseum will serve as auxiliary seating. “I don’t think that’ll be an issue — we have plenty of room,” Melvin said. … A’s minorleague coach Webster Garrison, who has been battling COVID19 for months, married fiancée Nikki Trudeaux on Thursday at West Jefferson Medical Center in Louisiana, according to the hospital’s Facebook page. The couple had postponed wedding plans after Garrison contracted the virus in March.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle A’s starting pitcher Frankie Montas was suspended for 80 games last season after testing positive for a banned substance, but he returned to make a start in the last week of the season. Teammates say he looks primed for the upcoming season.