SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – It was a good day for Justin Masterson.

After watching his ace pitch four scoreless and hitless innings Tuesday against Arizona on the way to a 7-1 victory, manager Terry Francona said the 6-6 right-hander will be the starter when the Indians open the regular season March 31 in Oakland.

It will be Masterson’s third straight opening day start for the Tribe.

“It’s a big honor for him,” said Francona. “I think it’s an honor for us to tell him and I think he’s very deserving.”

Masterson didn't allow a hit as he struck out one and walked one. The offense, led by Lonnie Chisenhall's two-run homer, supported Masterson with 14 hits.

“I felt OK,” said Masterson. “There were a lot of close pitches that I was happy with. I was around the zone. I got behind in the count once in a while, but I had some great plays behind me.

"Frenchy (Jeff Francoeur) was out there in right field catching them when Arizona was doing some hit and runs. It made it very beneficial for us to get out of it."

The Diamondbacks were working on their hit and runs and the Indians turned those into two double plays on line drives to Francoeur while Masterson was still on the mound.

“I’m sure Frenchy isn’t going to let me forget that,” said Masterson. “He wasn’t expecting to work that hard out there.”

Masterson said he is still waiting to hear from the Indians on his multiyear contract proposal. Masterson, who can be a free agent after this season, and his agent made the proposal last week.

Indians owner Paul Dolan arrived in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday so perhaps that’s a sign the Indians are formulating an answer.

“They’re working through it,” said Masterson. “We’ll see what happens. It’s still as it was.”

David Adams gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the second off Trevor Cahill. Chisenhall, competing with Carlos Santana for the third-base job, made it 3-0 with a two-run homer to center in the fourth.

The Indians added two more runs in the fifth on a double by Asdrubal Cabrera and a single by Michael Brantley for a 5-0 lead. Cahill left the game with a jammed right knee after retiring Jason Kipnis at first for the second out of the inning.

The Indians made it 7-1 with two runs in the ninth. Prospect Dorssys Paulino hit a two-run double to the fence in center.

Arizona's only run came in the fifth off Cody Allen.

The Indians are 10-2-1 in Cactus League play.