SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- What had been widely known has become official. Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced after Friday's 8-5 split-squad victory over Kansas City that the ballclub's first four starters will be, in order, Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Jake Peavy.
This confirmed that Peavy will start the Thursday, April 7 home opener against the Dodgers. The Giants open the regular season on April 4 at Milwaukee.
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The fifth spot remained undetermined as Matt Cain strives to condition himself enough to be able to pitch at least five innings on April 8 against the Dodgers. If Cain isn't ready in time -- his progress was delayed by removal of a cyst on his pitching arm -- Chris Heston likely would replace him in the rotation.
Worth noting
• Compared with previous performances by Giants starting pitchers, Cueto's outing against Kansas City seemed like a gem. He lasted six innings while surrendering three runs and eight hits. Demonstrating command, he struck out six and walked none. "I felt really good, really comfortable," Cueto said through an interpreter. "Everything was working."

Said Bochy, who had watched his projected regular-season rotation record a 9.97 ERA entering Friday, "It's nice to get a quality start. It's been a rough go. It's time to tighten things up, and this is a good start."