Clay Holmes' first major league start in seven years will come on Opening Day.
Carlos Mendoza revealed to reporters on Friday afternoon that Holmes will get the ball in the Mets season opener on March 27 against the Astros, as the righty has proven to the team that he is ready to complete his transformation into a starting pitcher after working solely in a relief role since 2019.
"He earned it," Mendoza said. "We like what we're seeing. I know it's a small sample size here, but it's very encouraging. He really put himself in a really good position. He showed up early in camp and was ahead of everyone.
"We're comfortable with him going on Opening Day."
Holmes has pitched 9.2 innings in three starts so far this spring, and has yet to allow a run. His impressive stat line so far as a starter includes 13 strikeouts against four walks while allowing just two hits, as he continues to fine-tune his expanded arsenal that now includes a changeup as he works to build himself up as a regular starting pitcher.
Holmes was signed to a two-year deal with a player option for a third season this past offseason with the understanding that he would be a starter, continuing a recent trend of teams working to transform relievers into a starting role, with another former Yankee reliever in Michael King being a prime example.
Sean Manaea would have likely been the team's Opening Day starter had he not been sidelined with an oblique injury, but now, it will be Holmes taking the ball in his Mets debut.