rewrite this title Clay Holmes’ first Opening Day start quickly became a Mets mess

HOUSTON — Clay Holmes’ first start since 2018 involved plenty of navigating.

In trouble in each of the final four innings he pitched, the right-hander managed to keep the Mets in Thursday’s game, but it was sloppy.

Holmes was the losing pitcher in the Mets’ 3-1 loss to the Astros at Daikin Park after allowing three runs (one unearned) on five hits and four walks with a hit batsman over 4 ²/₃ innings.

“I think the big thing was the walks,” Holmes said. “I gave them five free passes — the walks and a hit-by-pitch. My game is limiting slug and basically limiting free passes. And I gave them those extra free passes today to give them enough base runners to create some traffic there.”

Holmes had last started a game in the regular season with the Pirates.

He spent the past six seasons as a reliever, mostly with the Yankees.

“He was having a hard time finding his sinker,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “But he kept making pitches and got ground balls when he needed them. … It’s just one of those outings where the sinker wasn’t there, especially against that right-handed-heavy lineup like that.”

Holmes became the seventh pitcher to start on Opening Day in his Mets debut.

Roger Craig (1962), Don Cardwell (1967), Mike Hampton (2000), Tom Glavine (2003), Pedro Martinez (2005) and Johan Santana (2008) were the others.

Tyrone Taylor received the start in center field over Jose Siri, but it wasn’t an easy decision for Mendoza.

“I think I spent the last 10 days in spring training asking coaches, like ‘Siri or Taylor?’” Mendoza said. “I think it came down to the pitch package from [Framber] Valdez — not just necessarily being a lefty, but the pitches he’s got, the sinker, the change, the curve and how much chase he gets.”

Mendoza said the center field position will be “fluid.”

Taylor finished the day 1-for-4.

Alexander Canario was designated for assignment following a strong showing in spring training for the club.

The 24-year-old outfielder was out of minor league options and there wasn’t a fit for him on the Opening Day roster.

“You have to give him a lot of credit because he had a really good camp and he opened up a lot of eyes — not only here in the organization, but with the 29 other teams,” Mendoza said. “He’s got the tools, he’s young, but it wasn’t an easy one.”

Jose Azocar, another outfielder, was also designated for assignment.

Paul Blackburn (knee), Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat strain) were placed on the 15-day injured list.

Francisco Alvarez (hamate fracture), Jeff McNeil (oblique) and Ronny Mauricio (ACL rehab) were all placed on the 10-day IL.