Clay Holmes’ transition to a beginning pitcher is off to a great, properly, begin.
Holmes, who spent many of the previous three seasons because the Yankees’ nearer, signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Mets this winter with plans to grow to be a starter.
The offseason levels of these plans are going properly, says Holmes, who reported to the Mets’ spring coaching facility in Port St. Lucie in mid-January.
“There’s a very detailed throwing build-up all the way through the end of spring, and that’s why I wanted to get down to Port St. Lucie early, just to stay on track with that,” Holmes mentioned Saturday on the Amazin’ Day fan competition at Citi Subject.
“I’ll probably start throwing to hitters a little earlier to make sure the build-up goes smoothly and things aren’t rushed.”
Holmes, 31, operated primarily as a starter as a minor leaguer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, however he’s began solely 4 of his 311 MLB appearances and none since his rookie 12 months in 2018.
Acquired by the Yankees in a July 2021 commerce, Holmes earned two All-Star picks and recorded 74 saves from 2022-24.
Nevertheless, the 6-5 right-hander entered free company fascinated with a return to beginning. The Mets had been equally intrigued, figuring out his pitch arsenal as one which, with some changes, might stay efficient a number of occasions by a batting order.
“We’re gonna support him like crazy,” president of baseball operations David Stearns mentioned throughout a panel Saturday. “We’re gonna monitor to make sure that his health stays in the right spot, but we’re optimistic that he’s going to be a really good starting pitcher for us.”
As a reliever, Holmes relied closely on an influence sinker, and he additionally threw a slider. He started deploying a four-seam fastball down the stretch final season, and that pitch changed into a weapon for him within the postseason.
Holmes knew he must develop his arsenal to outlive as a beginning pitcher and has been working this winter so as to add a changeup that may neutralize left-handed hitters.
“The changeup is something I knew I could throw,” Holmes mentioned. “It started probably halfway through [last] year. Me and a couple of guys in the bullpen were messing around with grips, and I was throwing it on the track, and I was like, this actually could be a decent pitch.”
Holmes completed 2024 with a 3.14 ERA and 30 saves, however he tied a Yankee report with 13 blown saves and misplaced his nearer job in September.
He re-emerged within the postseason, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA over 12 innings whereas showing in all however one of many Yankees’ playoff video games.
“We’re committed for him to be a starter,” Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza, who beforehand labored with Holmes because the Yankees’ bench coach, mentioned on a panel Saturday. “He’s going to get a lot of opportunities. We understand that even the best of the best are gonna go through some struggles.”
Holmes joins a Mets rotation that additionally added Frankie Montas this offseason and that brings again Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, David Peterson and Paul Blackburn.
And whereas the specifics of his new routine nonetheless must be hammered out throughout spring coaching, Holmes feels assured his transition will proceed to go easily.
“The big thing is there’s a plan in place, and I think when you have that, I feel like there’s less stress around it,” Holmes mentioned. “I know what I need to do. I don’t have to do anything more. It’s not like I necessarily have to change who I am as a pitcher.”
