“Mike Pelfrey is the No 1 guy on this staff at the moment,” said Collins

This will be Pelfrey’s first opening day start in his young career. Johan Santana has handled that responsibility for the last three seasons, however the southpaw ace is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is not expected to be available until June.

The 27-year-old right handed pitcher compiled a record of 15-9 in 2010 with a 3.66 ERA and has a career record of 43-41 during his first five years with the Mets.

Pelfrey will also take on the duties of “ace” of the Mets staff and will face some of the National League’s premier pitchers.

“I’m excited about it,” said Pelfrey. “I think it’s a great opportunity. But whether I am the number one starter or number five, the job still has to get done and we all need to put up zeros.”

Big Pelf will lead a Mets staff which includes R.A. Dickey, Jonathan Niece, Chris Capuano and Chris Young at the moment, however other pitchers will vie for a spot in the rotation.

Typically, Pelfrey struggles though Spring Training however he is looking beyond March and expects to be ready for a possible match-up with the Marlins Josh Johnson on Opening Day.

“I probably have the worst ERA in the history of Spring Training,” Pelfrey joked. “But I have sat down with Terry [Collins] and he has insured me that no matter what happens in

February and March – the plan is to get me ready for that first game.”