MESA, Ariz. -- Mike Fiers sensed a touch of regular-season intensity Tuesday even before he threw his first pitch against the Los Angeles Angels.

The occupant of the batter's box happened to be Mike Trout, who needs no introduction. Trout hustled out an infield single on Fiers' first pitch and came around to score. But Fiers recovered by adding two shutout innings to seal a three-inning effort in the A's 17-5 Cactus League loss.

Fiers demonstrated the sharpness that would be ideal from an Opening Day starter. In fact, the right-hander frequently has been mentioned as a candidate to oppose the Seattle Mariners in the March 20 opener at the Tokyo Dome.

Fiers initially downplayed the distinction of launching the season for the A's when he was asked to address the possibility.

"Whenever my first start of the season is, that's what I'm geared for. I'll be ready for it," he said.

Then, Fiers demonstrated the mindset that grips most pitchers who appear poised to receive the prestigious assignment.

"It would be an honor to pitch Opening Day," he said. "It's definitely a special occasion in baseball, and I've never done it."

The timing of an Opening Day start would be right for the 33-year-old Fiers. He's coming off a career-best 12-win season with Detroit and Oakland, which acquired him from the Tigers for a pair of Minor League pitchers on Aug. 18. The A's non-tendered Fiers to avoid salary arbitration before signing him to a two-year, $14.1 million contract.

Fiers acknowledged that multiple clubs demonstrated interest in acquiring him. But, he added, "there were only a couple of teams I had higher interest in; Oakland was definitely one of them. So I'm glad I'm back."

However, the eight-year veteran sounded a little less upbeat about allowing the American League West-rival Angels, who Oakland will confront 19 times during the regular season, to gain exposure to him.

"That's why [Trout's] over here," Fiers said. "He wants to see me. These guys want to get at-bats against me because we're going to face them a lot in the regular season."

Said A's manager Bob Melvin: "I don't think you go [by] the scouting report and show him what you have. You just try to get your work in. As is he [the opponent]." Melvin added, "[Fiers] has enough of a track record that guys know what he's got anyway."

Fiers retained some mystery, however. His tone included just the slightest hint of playfulness as he explained how he'll approach the Angels in their next meeting.

"I'm going to be totally different against them," Fiers said. "All the stuff I did today was for show. I pitched totally different than I would in the regular season. Gonna try to keep them off-balance."

Martini exits with back injury

A's left fielder Nick Martini hyperextended his back Tuesday while trying to make a sixth-inning play. Melvin said Martini underwent X-rays, but updates regarding the 28-year-old's condition were not immediately available.

"He tripped over his shoelace and his head and neck went into the wall," Melvin said, expressing hopes that Martini avoided structural damage. "He was walking around, but he's not going to feel good for a few days."

Worth noting

• Melvin said right-hander Marco Estrada threw the equivalent of three innings in a Minor League intrasquad game to keep his arm limber. Estrada's next outing likely will come in a full-fledged Cactus League exhibition.

• Right-hander Fernando Rodney endured a rough exhibition debut, allowing four earned runs and four hits while walking two in one-third of an inning. That's a 33.75 ERA. But Melvin didn't sound overly concerned.

"He had good stuff," Melvin said. "He was missing up with his heater and missing down with his heater. Veteran guys like that, you don't worry about."