Clay Holmes Named Mets’ Opening Day Starter, Set to Face Astros on March 27
The Mets have officially named Clay Holmes their Opening Day starter for the 2025 season, setting up a marquee matchup against the Astros on March 27 at Minute Maid Park.
The move marks a significant transition for Holmes, who has spent most of his career as a dominant high-leverage reliever but is now proving he has the arsenal and endurance to thrive in the rotation, as indicated by his exceptional preseason in Port St. Lucie.
Clay Holmes has been named our Opening Day starter! pic.twitter.com/6nAUl6A5tE
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 14, 2025
Spring Training Dominance
Holmes has been nothing short of electric this spring. Over 14 innings in his four starts of spring training, he has surrendered just five hits, issued five walks, and racked up 15 strikeouts, posting a 0.71 WHIP while holding opposing hitters to a .106 batting average.
Clay Holmes has looked excellent this spring and has shown he is ready for an Opening Day start! https://t.co/A4n4v9qRzX pic.twitter.com/xmUmurhwcW
— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) March 14, 2025
Holmes’ ability to generate weak contact has been a primary reason for his success. His 46.9% ground ball rate this spring is a continuation of his elite ability to keep hitters off balance, a trait that made him one of the game’s best relievers. Even more promising, he has increased his strikeout rate to 28.8%, up from 25.1% in 2024.
A New Weapon: The Changeup
Having added three new pitches in his transition from reliever to starting pitcher, his newly adjusted four-seamer, changeup/kick-change, and cutter are now the most lethal of his mix. Long known for his devastating sinker, he has worked tirelessly to develop the offspeed pitch, and the results are precise.
“It’s been a real focus for me,” Holmes said. “I’ve always been able to get guys out with my sinker, but having another weapon, especially to lefties, changes everything.”
Mendoza’s Endorsement
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza clarified that Holmes’ performance and work ethic have earned him this opportunity.
“He’s been dominant,” Mendoza said. “The way he’s attacking hitters, his confidence on the mound—this isn’t just a guy filling in. He’s earned this. We’re excited to see what he does with it.”
Holmes’ move to the rotation was partially necessitated by Sean Manaea’s oblique strain and Kodai Senga’s slow ramp-up, but Mendoza emphasized that this isn’t a short-term fix—it’s a legitimate opportunity for Holmes to prove he belongs in the front-end.
Carlos Mendoza announces that Clay Holmes will be the Mets’ Opening Day starter:
“He earned it. We like what we’re seeing.” pic.twitter.com/2FDfGUx8uJ
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 14, 2025
Holmes’ Mindset
For Holmes, this moment is a culmination of years of work.
“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.”
Looking Ahead
Holmes will take the ball on March 27 against a Houston lineup that remains one of the most potent in baseball. If his spring performance is any indication, he’s ready to rise to the occasion and set the tone for the Mets in 2025.
