Brandon Nimmo the designated hitter expects to be ready for Opening Day. Brandon Nimmo the left fielder isn’t quite as sure. A day after appearing in his first Grapefruit League game since receiving a gel injection in his sore right knee,

Brandon Nimmo has taken just one at-bat in spring training. However, he believes his injury will be healed enough for the Mets' season opener.

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.”

Longtime reliever Clay Holmes was named Opening Day starter for the New York Mets, who begin the season March 27 in Houston.