Mendoza names Holmes Mets' Opening Day starter: 'He earned it'

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has tabbed reliever-turned-starter Clay Holmes with the team's Opening Day assignment.

"He earned it. We like what we're seeing," Mendoza said, per SNY.

"I know it's a small sample size here, but it's very encouraging. He really put himself in a really good position. Showed up here early in camp, he was ahead of everyone. The way he's looked so far, making that transition, we're comfortable with him."

Holmes joined the Mets on a three-year, $38-million contract in the offseason after spending the previous three-and-a-half years with the New York Yankees as a reliever. He was their primary closer for much of 2024 but ultimately lost the job down the stretch to Luke Weaver.

The 31-year-old hasn't started an MLB game since his rookie season in 2018 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"It's awesome, definitely honored," Holmes said. "It's been a crazy few months, but I think it's just a testament to the work I've put in and the people I've been around here in the organization. There was a plan in place from the get-go. I believed in it, they believed in me, and there's been a lot of work these past few months. It's an honor to be out there for the first game."

Sean Manaea, the presumed ace of the Mets' starting rotation, is expected to begin the season on the injured list as he works his way back from an oblique injury. Kodai Senga and David Peterson were other candidates to receive the Opening Day nod.

Holmes has allowed zero earned runs and just two hits with 13 strikeouts through 9 2/3 innings pitched this spring.

The seven-year veteran owns a career 3.71 ERA and 9.6 K/9.