Port St. Lucy – Clay Holmes' accumulation as a starter for the Mets goes beyond the physical side.
Now, as of spring training, he has been working on multiple jobs through batting orders.
“It's not just throwing a sinker,” Holmes said Sunday. “I want to use my pitch, have some type of game plan, read the swing, deviate. I'm going to experience a little more of the next few outings.”
With a 7-6 exhibition victory over the Nationals, Holmes was extended to 67 pitches with a 3²/₃ shutout inning.
He allowed 1 hit and 3 walks with eight strikeouts.
As the sinker became precarious early, Holmes turned to other options, including a changeup that improved this spring.
Holmes threw 16 changeups that induce eight swings.
He received six swings and mistakes.
“Today I learned that the sinker command wasn't entirely there. Instead of trying to force it, ChangeUp could bring it back a bit to me and really see how it was being played,” Holmes said. “I got the ground ball early with that and a few swings and misses. It was good to see that I was forced a bit and had some success.”
Holmes will aim to build past 90 pitches with three more starts this spring.
“I look forward to seeing these next few outings grow towards that final pitch count,” Holmes said. “But just see how mine plays the second and third times through the lineup.”
Brandonnimo is scheduled to resume running on Monday and hopes to return to Grapefruitreug later in the week.
Nemo, who received a recent gel injection in his right knee, appeared in only one game this spring.
Justin Hagenman, Kevin Hellett, Austin Warren and Jared Young were options for minor league camp.
Additionally, Rico Garcia, Grant Hartwig, Yacksel Ríos and Brandon Waddell have been reassigned to minor league camps.
The Mets have 49 players remaining in camp.
Daryl Strawberry arrived at the camp as a guest instructor.
