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.”

Zach Eflin will start for the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day. The Orioles posted a video on social media showing Eflin getting the news from his wife and children. The team visits Toronto for its opener on March 27.

After the way spring training has unfolded, the announcement Friday was a mere formality. Zach Eflin will be the Orioles’ opening day starter March 27 against the Blue Jays in Toronto, manager Brandon Hyde announced Friday afternoon.