Mets' Clay Holmes: Fans eight in final spring start
Rotowire
Holmes allowed two hits and three walks over 5.1 scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out eight.
The Mets' Opening Day starter wrapped up his spring with a very impressive outing, albeit against a St. Louis lineup that had few big-league regulars in it, as he built up to 88 pitches (53 strikes). Holmes posted a 0.93 ERA and 23:8 K:BB through 19.1 Grapefruit League innings, and he looks ready to handle his conversion from the relief role he's filled for nearly his entire big-league career.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that Holmes will start Opening Day in Houston, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
He might not have been the choice if the Mets' rotation was fully healthy, but Holmes has earned the nod with a dominant spring that's seen him post a 13:4 K:BB over 9.2 scoreless innings. Holmes is making the move from bullpen to rotation this season after being used exclusively as a reliever since 2019.
Holmes struck out eight over 3.2 scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He gave up one hit and walked three.
The right-hander built up to 67 pitches (38 strikes) and was absolutely dominant against a Washington lineup that featured CJ Abrams, James Wood, Nathaniel Lowe and other likely Opening Day starters. Holmes has worked to expand his pitch mix this spring as he transitions from closing to a rotation job, and so far the results have been impressive as he has a 13:4 K:BB through 9.2 spring innings with a 0.00 ERA.
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