Which former Oregon Ducks landed on Major League Baseball opening day rosters?

Opening Day for the 2023 Major League Baseball season is almost here, and the Oregon baseball program is well-represented among big-league rosters.

The MLB season kicks off on Thursday at 10:05 a.m. PT, and all 30 ballclubs will be in action.

In total, seven different former Ducks made the cut for their respective teams’ Opening Day 26-man rosters.

Here’s a rundown of which former Oregon standouts will be in action at the start of the 2023 season.

Tyler Anderson — Los Angeles Angels

Last season, former Oregon ace Tyler Anderson was one of the National League’s pleasant surprises.

Anderson, who was selected in the first round by the Colorado Rockies in 2011, went 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He parlayed his breakout season into a three-year, $39 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels last offseason and is expected to be the club’s No. 2 starter behind superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Garrett Cleavinger — Tampa Bay Rays

Veteran lefty Garret Cleavinger was a reliable relief option for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays last season.

This season, he is expected to be one of the Rays’ top bullpen options.

According to Baseball Reference, Cleavinger is projected to post a 3.92 ERA in 39.0 innings with Tampa Bay in 2023.

Cole Irvin — Baltimore Orioles

After delivering a standout 2022 campaign for the Oakland A’s, former Ducks’ ace Cole Irving was dealt to Baltimore in the offseason and will slot in as the Orioles’ No. 3 starter behind Kyle Gibson and Dean Kremer.

Irvin posted a 3.92 ERA and struck out 125 batters in 178.0 innings for Oakland last season.

The 29-year-old lefty was a first-team all-conference selection for Oregon in 2016 before being selected in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ryne Nelson — Arizona D-Backs

A former two-way player for the Ducks from 2017-19, Nelson earned Arizona’s No. 5 starter spot during spring training.

Nelson shone during a September call-up last season and produced a 1.49 ERA throughout three late-season starts.

Nelson contributed as both an infielder and a relief pitcher early in his Oregon career. In 2019, he transitioned to a role as a full-time reliever and spot starter and saw his MLB Draft stock skyrocket.

The D-Backs selected Nelson in the second round in 2019.

Stephen Nogosek — New York Mets

Oregon has forged a reputation for producing a stellar crop of closers. Arguably none has had more success in recent years than Stephen Nogosek, who starred for the Ducks from 2014-16.

Nogosek produced a 2.45 ERA in 22.0 innings for the New York Mets last season and will once again be one of the club’s top late-inning options.

During his final season with the Ducks in 2016, Nogosek was a first-team all-conference and second-team All-American selection after posting a 1.11 ERA and 16 saves in 40.2 innings.

David Peterson — New York Mets

During his final season with the Ducks in 2017, David Peterson became the first player in modern program history to earn consensus All-American honors. The 6-foot-6 lefty led Oregon with a 2.51 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 100.1 innings as a junior.

The following summer, he was selected 20th overall by the Mets and will now slot into the back end of New York’s rotation.

Although Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are expected to lead the Mets’ rotation, the 27-year-old Peterson could be poised for a big season.

Spencer Steer — Cincinnati Reds

Former Oregon infielder Spencer Steer crushed AAA pitching last season and rapidly established himself as one of the Minnesota Twins top prospects.

Late last season, the Twins dealt Steer to Cincinnati as they already boasted an abundance of infield talent.

Steer performed well during a September call-up with the Reds, and now the former third-round pick is expected to be the team’s everyday third baseman.