New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018. Holmes has worked 9 2/3 shutout innings over three Grapefruit League starts as he moves from the bullpen to the rotation.

Former All-Star closer Clay Holmes, with just four career MLB starts under his belt, has earned the Mets' Opening Day nod.

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

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.

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 infielder Jeff McNeil will not play on Opening Day due to a spring training injury, a right oblique strain.

The Yankees will be without planned-on designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton for the foreseeable due to torn tendons in both his elbows. So for Opening Day and potentially a while beyond, New York manager will have to write a different name into the DH slot on the lineup card.

The Yankees lost Gerrit Cole for the season and Luis Gil is out for at least three months. Clarke Schmidt is injured, too. The Mets are currently without Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas in addition to multiple bullpen injuries.