PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Clay Holmes — a former Yankees closer — was named the Opening Day starter for the Mets on Friday. “He earned it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We like what we’re seeing. I know it’s a small sample size, but it’s very encouraging.”

Holmes has made all of four big-league starts, all of them as a rookie with the Pirates in 2018. He shifted to the bullpen in 2019 with Pittsburgh, eventually flourishing into an All-Star closer with the Yankees. He’s made an even 300 relief appearances since his last start.