Clay Holmes, who has excelled as his stuff has played up during spring training while making a transition from reliever to starter, was named the Mets’ Opening Day starting pitcher.
“He earned it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said on Friday. “We like what we’re seeing. I know it’s a small sample size here, but it’s really encouraging. He really put himself in a really good position. Showed up here early in camp. He was ahead of everyone.
“But again, I think it’s more how he’s looked so far making that transition, and we’re comfortable with him going on Opening Day.”
Added Mendoza: “I know he’s worked really hard. Proud of him.”
Mendoza noted that Kodai Senga, whose preparation for the season has been methodical following a year that was mostly lost due to multiple injuries, is expected to pitch one of the first five games of the season.
Senga is starting the Mets’ spring training game on Friday at 6:10 p.m. on SNY, and is expected to pitch about four innings.
Joining Holmes and Senga in the rotation will be David Peterson, and two pitchers from the depth group of Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, and Tylor Megill.
Unlike Canning and Blackburn, Megill can be sent to the minors without the Mets running the risk of losing him.
The Mets’ rotation is undermanned at the moment, with Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) dealing with injuries.
But Manaea — who was cleared earlier this week and has already resumed throwing — is not expected to miss much of the regular season, with his projected return being some point at the middle or end of April.
Montas is expected to be back in May or June.
The Mets open the season on March 27 against the Astros in Houston as they begin a three-game series. After a day off on March 30, they begin a three-game set with the Marlins in Miami on March 31. Following an off day on April 3, the Mets’ home opener at Citi Field will take place on April 4 against the Blue Jays.
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