After working hard all offseason, Mets’ Clay Holmes ‘honored’ to receive Opening Day nod
Clay Holmes knew going into this offseason that he wanted to be a starter.
That dream became a reality when he signed with the Mets on a three-year deal, and the right-hander immediately went to work -- grinding his way throughout the offseason to ensure that he’d be ready by the time camp opened.
He reported to Port St. Lucie early and has been working tirelessly with the coaching and training staff to refine his arsenal and make sure he’ll be stretched out as much as possible when the regular season comes around.
And now, Holmes is being rewarded for all of his hard work -- as manager Carlos Mendoza officially named him the starter for the Mets’ Opening Day matchup with the Houston Astros on March 27.
“It's a special thing," Holmes said. “I’m honored. It’s been a crazy few months, but it’s a testament to the work I’ve put in and the people I’ve been around here with the organization. There was a plan in place from the get-go; I believed in it and they believed in me.
“There’s been a lot of work put in these last few months and this is just another step. It’s definitely an honor to be out there for the first game -- I’m pumped to get to represent the Mets and this organization, and just excited to get the season going.”
Mendoza -- someone who Holmes has been around since his days with the Yankees -- called the big right-hander into his office along with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to give him the good news on Thursday.
“He earned it,” the skipper said. “We like what we're seeing. I know it's a small sample size, but it's really encouraging. He put himself in a really good position. Showed up here early in camp. He was ahead of everyone -- I know he’s worked really hard. We’re proud of him.”
The results don’t matter much, but Holmes’ first few spring outings certainly have been extremely encouraging, as he is yet to allow a run and has struck out 13 batters in just 9.2 innings of work while showcasing his revamped arsenal.
The 31-year-old is scheduled to take the mound again Saturday -- he expects to stretch out to around 70 pitches during that outing and will build from there with hopes of being around 90 pitches and ready for a full slate come Opening Day.
"At the end of the day, we just have to go out there and put our best foot forward and show everyone what we're about," Holmes said.
Topics
-
Mets give newcomer Holmes nod for Opening Day
Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018.ESPN - 4h -
Clay Holmes will start Mets' opener as he makes transition from relief role
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will take the mound on opening day for his first start since 2018. Holmes has worked 9 2/3 shutout innings over three Grapefruit League starts as he moves ...Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Clay Holmes strikes out eight, Mets hit two home runs in 7-6 win over Nationals
The Mets scored six runs in the first inning on two home runs and Clay Holmes dazzled with eight strikeouts, as New York beat the Washington Nationals, 7-6, in spring training action.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Bears again dominating the offseason, get plenty of help on offensive and defensive lines
The Bears worked hard to fix both lines.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Mets' Brandon Nimmo still uncertain about Opening Day role amid knee injury
The Mets expect Brandon Nimmo to be their designated hitter on Saturday, but the veteran outfielder isn't sure if he'll be playing in the same role when Opening Day arrives in less than two weeks.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Lawing Encouraged Early Thanks To Offseason Work
After not meeting Tommy Castellanos or Grayson James until February of last year, offensive coordinator Will Lawing has had a full winter to work with and talk to James, as well as new transfer ...Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Mike Vrabel: We'll continue to target wide receiver additions
The Patriots met with the media on Thursday to discuss their early offseason moves and at least one they didn't make.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Cowboys re-sign All-Pro returner KaVontae Turpin to three-year, $18 million contract
Turpin earned two Pro Bowl selections and a 2024 first-team All-Pro nod for his work as a returner in his first three yearsCBS Sports - 3d -
Mets Notes: Jose Butto nursing groin injury, Brandon Nimmo's availability for Opening Day not in doubt
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shared thoughts on Jose Butto, Kodai Senga, and Brandon Nimmo following the team's tie with the Cardinals on Friday night.Yahoo Sports - 47m
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Alabama basketball is everything Kentucky wants to be — and will very soon | C.L. Brown
Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team has been inconsistent this season, but the Wildcats aren't that far from returning to the top of nation's elite.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Love helps Arizona topple short-handed No. 9 Texas Tech 86-80 in Big 12 tourney semifinals
Caleb Love scored 27 points and Arizona took advantage of injuries that left Texas Tech short-handed for an 86-80 victory over the No. 9 Red Raiders in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals Friday ...Yahoo Sports - 15m -
The 3-pointer: Takeaways from No. 5 Alabama's win over No. 15 Kentucky
The Tide’s offense got going early, running effective half-court sets early to open Kentucky’s defense and go on a 3-point barrage in the second half. Alabama’s efficient offense was matched with ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Kentucky basketball can't hang with Alabama in SEC Tournament quarterfinal, awaits NCAA bid
Mark Pope's short-handed Kentucky basketball team was routed by Alabama on Friday in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal in Nashville.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Parker Kelly scores 2 as Avalanche beat Flames 4-2 to move to 7-0-1 in last 8 games
Parker Kelly scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Friday night. Ryan Lindgren and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for Colorado, which has points in eight straight ...Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: UNC is still in, plus more updates from a busy Friday
Despite UNC's loss to Duke, it remains in the bracket for now.ESPN - 10m -
Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes
All six Bulls championship banners were pulled from the rafters after being damaged Saturday night at a concert by Chicago area band Disturbed.ESPN - 10m -
Source: Kupp to join Seahawks on 3-year deal
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has reached agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract with the Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.ESPN - 10m -
Thomas ties TPC record after 16-shot turnaround
Despite a bogey on 18, Justin Thomas fired a jaw-dropping 62 that tied the TPC Sawgrass record (Tom Hoge, 2023) and gave him a whopping 16-shot improvement over Thursday's 78.ESPN - 10m -
NWSL's BOS Nation to be renamed after backlash
Boston's 2026 NWSL franchise announced Friday that it will officially change its name following a highly-ridiculed launch last fall.ESPN - 10m