Holmes (12-8) earned the win Saturday against the Marlins, allowing one hit and three walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out two.
With the Mets' backs against the wall in a heated wild-card race, Holmes came through with one of his best performances of the season. It was the first time all year that the right-hander fired at least six shutout innings, and he induced 11 groundouts on just 78 pitches. New York had to manage Holmes' workload down the stretch of his first full campaign as a starter, but it's still been a successful transition overall. He'll close the regular season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 129:66 K:BB over a career-high 165.2 frames.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Drawing start Saturday
Rotowire
Holmes will start Saturday's game against the Marlins, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
Holmes has been working in tandem with Sean Manaea throughout September, but both threw one inning of relief Wednesday, meaning Saturday's contest could be more of a total bullpen game. Holmes had pitched between 3.2 and 4.2 innings in his other four appearances in September.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Likely to piggyback Manaea
Rotowire
Holmes will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the Nationals and could piggyback starter Sean Manaea, Colin Martin of SNY.tv reports.
The duo was deployed in tandem during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Padres, with Holmes working the first four innings and Manaea covering the final five frames. Manaea ended up coming away with the victory, but since he'll be serving as the starter Sunday, Holmes might stand a better chance of qualifying for a win. The right-hander will be working out of the bullpen for the first time all season after his previous 30 appearances came in a starting role.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Tosses four innings
Rotowire
Holmes did not factor in the decision during Tuesday's win against San Diego. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over four innings.
Holmes was relieved by Sean Manaea in the fifth inning in what was a scheduled move by the Mets to benefit both veteran arms. The only two runs against Holmes came via solo homers by Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth in the second and third innings. Holmes threw a season-low 53 pitches Tuesday, as he continues to show signs of fatigue in his first year as a full-time MLB starter. He posted a 2.99 ERA through his first 17 starts but has since produced a 4.96 ERA over his last 13 outings. That's resulted in a 3.77 season ERA with a 124:63 K:BB over 155 innings. Holmes is currently slated for a home matchup with Washington this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Set to be piggybacked Tuesday
Rotowire
Holmes is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Padres at Citi Field but will be piggybacked by Sean Manaea, MLB.com reports. "I think it depends what kind of lineup we get and where we're at in the game," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, when asked how extensively Holmes and Manaea will be used Tuesday. "That's the plan, but we've got to be able to make adjustments and be flexible. We've just got to see what we've got there."
Manaea's transition to the bullpen comes after he posted a 7.71 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in spite of an excellent 42:6 K:BB in 32.2 innings over his seven starts dating back to the beginning of August, and the Mets are hoping that the role change will help the southpaw generate better results. The arrangement could also prove beneficial for Holmes, who owns a 4.81 ERA and 1.46 WHIP since the beginning of August and may be wearing down during his first season in the big leagues as a full-time starter. Though the pairing of Holmes and Manaea could enhance the ratios of both pitchers while they take on lighter workloads than they would as traditional starters, Holmes may struggle to reach the five innings he would need to hit to qualify for a win. The Mets will likely reassess their rotation plans following Tuesday's game, but if the Holmes/Manaea tandem fares well, the two could be deployed in a piggyback setup once again Sunday versus the Nationals.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Struggles early during loss
Rotowire
Holmes (11-8) took the loss against the Phillies on Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five and hitting two batters over four innings.
The right-hander labored through a tough opening frame, loading the bases with no outs before surrendering an RBI knock to J.T. Realmuto and plunking Max Kepler to put New York in an early hole. Holmes settled in after that, working through the next three innings without giving up a run despite allowing four additional baserunners. The 32-year-old ran into trouble in the fifth however, surrendering two hits to start the inning and allowing another run before being lifted from the game. He allowed his most runs over his past five starts. Holmes will carry a 3.75 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 122:62 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home against the Padres.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Fans six in seventh loss
Rotowire
Holmes (11-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings as the Mets fell 6-2 to the Tigers. He struck out six.
The six Ks were his highest total since Aug. 5, but the three free passes were the most he's issued since July 2. Holmes has failed to complete five innings in three of his last seven starts, as the converted reliever is showing signs of fatigue toward the end of a long season. During that span he's posted a 4.32 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 29:15 K:BB over 33.1 innings. Holmes figures to get some extra rest before his next outing as the Mets juggle their rotation, but he could take the mound next week on the road in Philadelphia.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Grabs win at Little League Classic
Rotowire
Holmes (10-6) allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings to earn the win over the Mariners in Sunday's Little League Classic.
Holmes put forth a fine effort, throwing 58 of 88 pitches for strikes. He's had some trouble pitching deeper into games -- he hasn't completed six frames since his June 7 start in Colorado. The right-hander is 2-2 with 18 runs allowed (15 earned) over 27.2 innings over six starts since the All-Star break. Holmes has a 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 105:53 K:BB over 131 innings through 25 starts this season. He's tentatively scheduled for a road matchup in Atlanta in his next start.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Labors in no-decision
Rotowire
Holmes took a no-decision Tuesday against Atlanta, allowing five runs on six hits and five walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out four.
It was a laborious outing for Holmes, who fell one walk shy of matching his season high and couldn't get through four innings despite throwing 85 pitches. The five runs allowed also established a season worst, and the former reliever is showing signs of fatigue late in his first full campaign as a starter. Holmes is now up to a career-high 126 innings, which is nearly double his previous career high, and he has a 5.45 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 26:17 K:BB across 38 frames since the start of July. He's tentatively scheduled to take the ball this weekend versus the Mariners.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Bounces back for ninth win
Rotowire
Holmes (9-5) allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out two over five innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.
Holmes was good enough, though he was far from dominant or efficient, needing 104 pitches (64 strikes) to get through five frames. The right-hander is reportedly not being considered for a move back to the bullpen, so the Mets appear to have faith in him to continue holding down a rotation spot despite a rough July. Friday's outing was his first win in five starts this month, and he's allowed 15 runs (14 earned) over 25.2 innings in that span. The 32-year-old is at a 3.40 ERA despite a 1.28 WHIP and 88:44 K:BB through 113.2 innings across 21 starts. He is tentatively projected for a road start in San Diego next week.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: No plan for relief role
Rotowire
The Mets aren't considering shifting Holmes to the bullpen to limit his innings, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.
The 32-year-old former closer for the Yankees was converted to a starting role this season and has more than held his own, posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 86:43 K:BB over 108.2 innings. That's already 45.2 innings more than he pitched during the regular season last year, however, and Holmes' recent performances suggest he could be feeling the strain of that workload, as he has a 5.66 ERA over four July starts. The Mets do have the depth to move the right-hander to the bullpen once the likes of Tylor Megill (elbow) get healthy -- even before factoring top prospects like Nolan McLean, or any trade deadline additions, into the rotation mix -- but the team doesn't have any plans to make that move pre-emptively. Holmes will try to get back on track when he takes the mound Friday in San Francisco.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Tough stretch continues
Rotowire
Holmes (8-5) took the loss Saturday, coughing up five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings as the Mets fell 5-2 to the Reds. He struck out three.
The right-hander got staked to an early 2-0 lead, but Holmes couldn't make it hold up as he had trouble putting away hitters when he needed to. The converted reliever may be wearing down -- Holmes has been tagged for five runs in two of his last three starts and hasn't struck out more than five batters in any of his last seven, stumbling to a 4.59 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21:20 K:BB through 35.1 innings over the latter stretch. Holmes will try to right the ship in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in San Francisco.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Yields two runs
Rotowire
Holmes did not factor in the decision during Sunday's loss to Kansas City. He allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over five innings while striking out two.
Holmes coughed up a two-run double to John Rave in the second inning but otherwise didn't face much trouble. The Mets couldn't muster up any offense until the ninth inning, which prevented Holmes from taking a loss. He threw 50 of 81 pitches for strikes and generated seven whiffs, marking the sixth straight outing in which he failed to reach double-digit swinging strikes. Holmes will enter the All-Star break with a 3.31 ERA and an 83:41 K:BB across 103.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Likely to be piggybacked Sunday
Rotowire
Holmes is expected to start Sunday's game against the Royals but will likely be piggybacked by Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) in the latter's return from the 60-day injured list, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Before the Mets solidify their pitching plans for Sunday, Manaea will need to make it out of his final rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Binghamton unscathed. Holmes, meanwhile, will start Tuesday's game in Baltimore, so the Mets will be able to manage the workload of both him and Manaea by having them work in tandem during the final game before the All-Star break. The piggyback arrangement is unlikely to last beyond Sunday, as both pitchers should have their own spots in the rotation to begin the second half of the season.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: No-decision in matinee
Rotowire
Holmes didn't factor into the decision in the opening game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Brewers. He allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out one over 5.1 innings.
While Holmes was able to limit the damage for the most part Wednesday, the right-hander has struggled with his command recently, issuing 14 walks over 15 innings across his last three starts. Overall, the 32-year-old Holmes is 8-4 with a 2.99 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 76:39 K:BB across 17 starts (93.1 innings). He's currently scheduled for a home matchup with the Yankees in his next outing.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Unravels in fifth inning
Rotowire
Holmes (7-4) was saddled with the loss Thursday against Atlanta, giving up three runs on four hits and six walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
Holmes had opened with 2.1 hitless innings, but his control eluded him during a long fifth frame. The right-hander walked three in the fifth, throwing 30 pitches in the inning before he was removed from the game. Thursday marked the first time since his second start of the year that Holmes failed to toss at least five frames, and his six free passes represented a career high. The 32-year-old is set to bring a steady 3.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 73:31 K:BB across 83 innings into a rematch at home versus Atlanta next week.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Five strong innings in no-decision
Rotowire
Holmes didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rays, giving up one run on three hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out three.
The long ball has become a problem for Holmes, who has served up nine homers in his last seven starts after yielding none in his first seven, but that didn't stop him tossing five strong frames Friday. Although the right-hander has fanned more than five just once in his last nine appearances, he's fired at least six innings on six occasions during this span. Holmes owns a steady 2.87 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 68:25 K:BB across 78.1 innings for the year, and he's set to face a tough test against Atlanta next week.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Goes seven innings in win
Rotowire
Holmes (6-3) earned the win against the Rockies on Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks with three strikeouts over seven innings.
Holmes was tagged for solo homers in the third and fifth innings but was otherwise sharp, facing the minimum over his other five frames. The 32-year-old needed just 85 pitches to complete seven innings and has now gone at least five in 10 straight starts, recording five quality starts in that span. He sports a 3.07 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 59:32 K:BB across 67.1 innings and lines up for a rematch with the Rockies at Coors Field next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Tough loss in Boston
Rotowire
Holmes (5-3) took the loss Tuesday, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings as the Mets fell 2-0 to the Red Sox. He struck out five.
For the second straight outing, Holmes served up multiple homers -- this time solo shots to Carlos Narvaez and Rafael Devers in the fifth inning -- and that was all the offense Boston needed. The right-hander still delivered his fourth quality start in his last six trips to the mound, a stretch in which he's posted a 2.83 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 35 innings. Holmes will try to get back in the win column in his next start, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the White Sox.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Clay Holmes: Sharp in fifth win
Rotowire
Holmes (5-1) picked up the win in Friday's 7-2 victory over the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.
The 32-year-old right-hander continues to put together a breakout campaign in a starting role. Holmes has delivered three quality starts in his last four outings, and he's given up more than three runs only once in eight trips to the mound. He'll take a 2.74 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB through 42.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Pirates.
