PEORIA, Ariz. -- No surprises here. Jake Peavy will be the Padres' Opening Day starting pitcher when the season begins April 3 in San Francisco.

Manager Bud Black released his starting rotation Monday and it held no surprises -- in names or the order of the rotation itself.

Peavy will start the opener in San Francisco followed by Chris Young and Clay Hensley. Greg Maddux will start the home opener at PETCO Park on April 6 against the Colorado Rockies with David Wells getting the starting nod the following day.

For Peavy, this will be his second Opening Day start in his career. A year ago, Peavy got the start against these same Giants in the season opener and allowed one run on four hits in seven innings for the victory.

"There's no doubt it's an honor," Peavy said. "There's a lot of excitement around it. Only 30 guys have that opportunity to be an Opening Day starter. On this team, with the guys we have, Chris Young, Greg Maddux, Clay Hensley and David Wells -- any of them are deserving of that honor."

Peavy, who is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA in five starts this spring, will make his final start this spring Thursday against the Mariners. He said Monday that he's ready for the regular season to begin after six weeks in Arizona.

Peavy was bothered by shoulder tendinitis for much of last season, possibly the result of pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Peavy went 11-14 with a 4.09 ERA, well off the seasons he had in 2004 (15-6, 2.27) and 2005 (13-7, 2.88).

"It has been a good spring. I've thrown the ball fairly well and have been able to work on some things," Peavy said. "I'm excited. I think I can get back to the pitcher I was in '04 and '05. I know what I can do at this level when I'm healthy and I fully expect to do that in '07."

As for his starting rotation, Black is excited to see what Peavy, Young, Hensley, Maddux and Wells can do over the course of a 162-game season.

"I see these guys as five parts of a machine that clicks start after start after start," Black said. "These guys understand the importance of what a starting rotation means to a ballclub. Starting pitching is what drives teams. I'll put our five guys up against anyone."

A nod to Mac? With the release of infielder Todd Walker, San Diego general manager Kevin Towers indicated Monday that the front-runners for the last spot on the bench are outfielder Paul McAnulty and infielder Oscar Robles.

"We've still got a week to go," Towers said. "And a lot depends on Mac's health. ... We like Mac's bat. He's done everything that he can do to open our eyes and show that he's ready to come up and contribute at the Major League level."

McAnulty hasn't played in a Cactus League game since March 18 after tweaking his right knee -- the same knee he had offseason surgery on. He had an MRI on Monday, though the results weren't immediately known.

McAnulty is hitting .353 this spring with two home runs and eight RBIs in 34 at-bats. As for Robles, who could play shortstop or second base, he's hitting .265 in 34 at-bats.

Cammy hurtin': Center fielder Mike Cameron, who was limited to one at-bat in Sunday's victory over the Giants because of a strained right hamstring, won't likely play the next few days as a precautionary measure.

"The back part of his knee is just a little sore," Black said. "He'll take [Monday] off and possibly [Tuesday]. His at-bats and games are right where we need them to be. It might be nice to get him off his knees a little."

When asked if there was a fear that Cameron would miss Opening Day in San Francisco on April 3, he said no.

"As of right now, I don't believe so," said Black. "I would say [he'll return] in a few days."

Adam Shabala got the start in center field Monday and Black indicated that Jose Cruz Jr. is capable of playing in center field if needed to.