Cliff Lee will take the mound on March 31 when the Philadelphia Phillies face off against the Texas Rangers.

Lee will be making the second Opening Day start of his career and first since 2009 for Cleveland Indians.

The left-hander replaces Cole Hamels, who has been battling injury this spring.

"Easy call," Ryne Sandberg said. "Obvious reasons. An All-Star last year. The way he's pitched this spring. Easy call."