BREAKING: Clay Holmes making transition to Mets starting role look seamless

PORT ST. LUCIE — Through two outings, Clay Holmes’ transition from closer to starter has been nearly flawless.

He tossed three innings Thursday in the Mets’ 5-0 Grapefruit League win over the Astros and gave up no runs, one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.

He increased his workload, throwing 42 pitches compared to 34 in his first start as he continues to build up his endurance.

He threw 17-18 more pitches in the bullpen afterward.

Holmes has pitched six innings and given up just one hit and one walk with five strikeouts in two starts this spring.

Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) throws in the first inning of a Spring Training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Port St. Lucie, FL.

“I feel like I was in a great spot to keep pitching,” Holmes said. “Even after I finished there, I feel a lot better than I did last time when I finished in the bullpen. I can see that I continue to adjust to the workload. I really feel like things are trending in the right direction.”

Thursday’s showing marked a significant step in that process, as well.

His 42 pitches included 20 in the first inning as he worked around a Christian Walker double that really was just a bloop to right field.

 Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes #35 throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on February 27, 2025.

As a closer, Holmes rarely came back out after innings in which he threw a lot of pitches.

As a starter, that will be required.

And Holmes fared well after the heavy first inning, recording a 1-2-3 second inning and retiring six of the next seven Astros batters.

He reached 95 mph in his third inning, though acknowledged he’s still figuring out when not to throw his hardest in order to save himself for later innings.

“It’s a very game-like situation, where I have a long first inning, throw [20] pitches and you got 60 pitches to get five or six innings,” Holmes said. “And just feeling that on your body, it’s new. Feeling that taxing inning and then having to do it time and time again, it’s definitely good to experience.”

Brandon Sproat, the Mets’ top pitching prospect, will start Friday’s game against the Nationals.

New York Mets pitcher Brandon Sproat (91) pitches live batting practice at Spring Training.

It’ll be his first outing this spring.

The Mets signed José Ureña as a non-roster invite for potential rotation depth, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported.

Ureña was with the Rangers last year and recorded a 3.80 ERA.

He spent the first six years of his career with the Marlins before stints with the Tigers, Brewers, Rockies and White Sox. He had largely been a starter previously, though was used more as a reliever last year.

Related Posts

Thіѕ Aѕtroѕ-Orіoleѕ trаde would fіx theіr Chrіѕtіаn Wаlker рroblem for good

When the Houston Astros signed Christian Walker this past offseason, they expected All-Star-caliber production, and it’s hard to blame them. Walker, underratedl

Buѕter Poѕey needѕ to be on the рhone rіght now аfter nіghtmаre SF Gіаntѕ ѕtаrt

Starting pitching is a clear need for the SF Giants ahead of the trade deadline. That is even more clear after Hayden Birdsong failed to make it out of the firs

Pete Crow-Armѕtrong’ѕ Injury Leаdѕ To New Defenѕіve Alіgnment For Chіcаgo Cubѕ

With Pete Crow-Armstrong out due to a bruised knee, Seiya Suzuki will play center field for the first time in his MLB career.

Braves Add Catching Depth, DFA Outfielder Ahead of Giants Series

The Atlanta Braves add another catcher, who looked sharp in Spring Training, to the active roster ahead of their series with the Giants

Elias: Orioles’ Trade Talks Focused On Players “Towards The End Of Their Contracts”

The Orioles managed to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Rays earlier today but are still 10 games under .500 with a -99 run differential….

Report: MLB Investigating Braves Coach After Gesture During Squabble With Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Chisholm and Eddie Pérez got into a war of words during the sixth inning of New York’s 12–9 win on Saturday. The MLB is investigating Atlanta Braves assistant…