How Clay Holmes started spring well, readied to pitch for U.S. at WBC

DUNEDIN, Fla. — One year after Clay Holmes faced doubts about his ability to morph from late-inning hammer into rotation anchor, the 32-year-old right-hander strode off the mound at TD Ballpark on Monday looking every bit the part of a frontline starter—and, soon, a key piece for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Holmes needed 57 pitches to navigate 3⅔ innings against the Blue Jays, allowing one hit, three walks and two runs while striking out three. The line was tidy; the context was more telling. Gusts of wind and a dry chill made grip difficult for a pitcher who lives and dies with heavy sink, yet Holmes leaned on a refined cutter and a newly-trusted changeup to escape traffic and finish his afternoon with a punch-out of Addison Barger on an automated review that nicked the corner.

“It was one of those days where it’s a little chilly, dry, windy—typically tough for sinker-ballers,” Holmes said. “Good to get that challenge, feel game speed and figure out how to make pitches.”

That adaptability is precisely why New York manager Carlos Mendoza never considered capping Holmes’ innings a season ago. After converting from closer to starter in 2025, Holmes logged 165⅔ frames across 33 outings (31 starts) while veterans Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas spent extended time on the injured list. The result: a 34-year-old repertoire that now features a cutter and changeup to complement his trademark sinker.

“He’s a big part of our rotation,” Mendoza said. “People talked about innings limits; we never put one on him. Credit to who he is—meticulous in preparation, already throwing live BP when he shows up.”

Monday’s outing was Holmes’ first Grapefruit League start of 2026, and it mirrored last spring, when he opened with three perfect innings and extra bullpen work. The only blemish came on a curveball experiment to right-handed slugger Kazuma Okamoto that was launched for a two-run homer to straightaway center. Holmes shrugged it off as a learning point, noting the pitch’s usage is still being refined.

The larger mission this March is sharpening an arsenal that no longer needs to be stretched, only tuned. Afterward, Holmes confirmed he will leave Mets camp early next week for Houston, where Team USA begins WBC play. Former Yankees ace Andy Pettitte, the club’s pitching coach, approached Holmes during the winter; the starter concluded his build-up would align perfectly, either in a starting or piggy-back capacity.

“That was a big reason I felt comfortable saying yes,” Holmes said. “From where I’m at now compared to last year, it’s pretty similar. Things feel normal, which is good.”

Holmes is expected to make one more spring appearance before departing, leaving behind lingering questions about role transitions that, 365 days later, have been answered with durability, consistency and a ticket to represent his country on a global stage.