Mets Starter Clay Holmes Predicted to Take Major Step Forward

The New York Mets are hopeful to make the playoffs this year, and improvement from Clay Holmes could help achieve that goal.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes spent most of his career as a reliever with the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. He transitioned to a starter last season, and now the organization expects him to stay there. Last season, he recorded a 3.53 ERA for the Mets and all but two of his appearances were starts. The Mets will rely on him to help make the playoffs, and Eno Sarris has identified him as a candidate to greatly improve this year.

Why it matters

The Mets are hoping to make the playoffs this season, and a strong performance from Clay Holmes in the starting rotation could be a key factor in achieving that goal. Holmes' transition to a starting role last year was successful, and the team is expecting him to build on that progress.

The details

According to Eno Sarris' analysis, Holmes has made some mechanical improvements this spring, adding more fade and drop on his sinker, increasing the drop on his changeup, and making his sweeper more of a "frisbee" with less drop. Additionally, Holmes has moved closer to the first base side of the rubber, which could increase the deception of his pitches. These changes, combined with his already solid performance last season, set Holmes up well to take a "real step forward" in his second year as a starter.

  • Last season, all but two of Holmes' appearances were starts.
  • This spring, Holmes has made mechanical improvements to his pitches.

The players

Clay Holmes

New York Mets starting pitcher who spent most of his career as a reliever with the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees before transitioning to a starting role last season.

Eno Sarris

An analyst who has identified Holmes as a candidate to greatly improve this year based on the mechanical changes he has made this spring.

Freddy Peralta

The Mets' ace pitcher, who will be ahead of Holmes in the starting rotation.

Sean Manaea

A Mets pitcher who was often considered the top pitcher in the Mets' staff last season, but was consistently on the injured list.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There are the physical aspects of Holmes' pitches that have improved this spring, that's one thing. He's added more fade and drop on his sinker, another six-plus inches of drop on his changeup, and has made his sweeper more of a frisbee with less drop.”

— Eno Sarris, Analyst (The Athletic)

“But then there's another wrinkle that Holmes is throwing at batters that could really ramp up the deception. Generally, he's moved closer to the first base side of the rubber to alter the way the pitches are coming into the plate. It's made his sinker seem more severe at the very least.”

— Eno Sarris, Analyst (The Athletic)

“Adding some deception to his increased stuff could let Holmes take a real step forward in his second year as a starter, and he was already pretty decent last year.”

— Eno Sarris, Analyst (The Athletic)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.