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.”

Mets righty Clay Holmes said he pitched through some fatigue during the latter part of the start, as he got up to 77 pitches in Saturday’s start.

Holmes has gotten praise from his team for being one of the first players to report to camp, weeks before pitchers and catchers had to. As a result of his preparation, he got started the Mets' Grapefruit League opener, where he threw three perfect innings.

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.

The Mets will turn to a new addition for the Opening Day pitching assignment. Clay Holmes, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, will get the start for the March

Spring training always has its surprises, but few would have predicted Clay Holmes earning the honor of being the New

The Mets’ Opening Day starter will be a pitcher with all of four career starts to his name. Right-hander Clay Holmes will start March 27 in Houston, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced Friday, coron