Clay Holmes has been named opening day starter for the New York Mets. The Mets decided to make Holmes a starter when they signed him to a three-year, $38 million deal in December.

"He earned it," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Friday. "We like what we're seeing. I know it's a small sample size here, but it's very encouraging."

Holmes made four starts during his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has never thrown more than 70 innings in a single major league season.