HOUSTON – Clay Holmes held a season in Houston last year.
That's about the only similarity that has been around since then.
Since the opening day between the Yankees and Astros, he has switched his uniform and work in as many ways as possible.
Holmes is not approaching the Yankees.
Instead, he is a key part of the Mets' rotation.
“It's a funny feeling,” Holmes said Wednesday at Daikin Park. “It's like deja vu to be open here, but a lot of it is different. A new team, a new role… something I started, something I always wanted to do.”
And the Mets are right-handed. The right-hander entered the rotation by signing a three-year, $38 million contract, after pitching from the bullpen for almost the entire major league career.
His first game in Houston last season was like a sign of what's coming for Holmes. Holmes thanks Juan Soto for throwing out Mauricio Dubon on the plate to prevent scoring after giving up three hits.
The Yankees wiped out a set of four games at the then Manet Maid Park and went out to race.
Holmes earned saves in three of these games, but eventually lost close work later in the season.
Still, he knows how important these types of games are for teams with high aspirations.
“That series felt like a playoff series,” Holmes said of his first set in Houston. “I remember people talking about it saying it wasn't relaxed in the season. It's a complete boa. It's a good thing to have a little jump start. It's the baseball you want to play, whether it's March, April or October.
That's not going to be short for the Mets this season.
Holmes will be a key part of that, especially in the early parts of the regular season, along with Shaun Mania (Axis) and Frankie Montas (LAT) and Paul Blackburn, who will open on the injured list.
He wants to follow in the footsteps of former Yankee teammate Michael King and other saviors like Red Sox Garrett Crochet, the current Red Sox.
Asked about his goal, Holmes said, “For me, let's get through five starts and see where we are. This is one start at a time.
He and the Mets measure his early results and see if his new routine requires tweaking.
Holmes said he received a pointer from King, who was watching a report of meticulous scouting in the bullpen, hoping he would become a starter.
“Everyone is a little different and there are different challenges,” Holmes said.
Now armed with changeups and cutters, Holmes is set to test himself against the Astros.
“I took part in spring training knowing they have the opportunity to be a weapon to get out,” Holmes said. [Pitching in] Spring was able to do it for me. I managed to get some outs on those pitches. ”
