Clay Holmes’ first begin since 2018 concerned loads of navigating.
In bother in every of the ultimate 4 innings he pitched, the right-hander managed to maintain the Mets in Thursday’s recreation, however it was sloppy.
Holmes was the dropping pitcher within the Mets’ 3-1 loss to the Astros at Daikin Park after permitting three runs (one unearned) on 5 hits and 4 walks with a success batsman over 4 ²/₃ innings.
“I believe the massive factor was the walks,” Holmes mentioned. “I gave them 5 free passes — the walks and a hit-by-pitch. My recreation is limiting slug and principally limiting free passes. And I gave them these additional free passes right this moment to offer them sufficient base runners to create some site visitors there.”
Holmes had final began a recreation within the common season with the Pirates.
He spent the previous six seasons as a reliever, largely with the Yankees.
“He was having a tough time discovering his sinker,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned. “However he saved making pitches and bought floor balls when he wanted them. … It’s simply a kind of outings the place the sinker wasn’t there, particularly in opposition to that right-handed-heavy lineup like that.”
Holmes grew to become the seventh pitcher to begin on Opening Day in his Mets debut.
Roger Craig (1962), Don Cardwell (1967), Mike Hampton (2000), Tom Glavine (2003), Pedro Martinez (2005) and Johan Santana (2008) have been the others.
Tyrone Taylor acquired the beginning in middle discipline over Jose Siri, however it wasn’t a straightforward choice for Mendoza.
“I believe I spent the final 10 days in spring coaching asking coaches, like ‘Siri or Taylor?’” Mendoza mentioned. “I believe it got here right down to the pitch bundle from [Framber] Valdez — not simply essentially being a lefty, however the pitches he’s bought, the sinker, the change, the curve and the way a lot chase he will get.”
Mendoza mentioned the middle discipline place shall be “fluid.”
Taylor completed the day 1-for-4.
Alexander Canario was designated for project following a powerful exhibiting in spring coaching for the membership.
The 24-year-old outfielder was out of minor league choices and there wasn’t a match for him on the Opening Day roster.
“It’s a must to give him numerous credit score as a result of he had a extremely good camp and he opened up numerous eyes — not solely right here within the group, however with the 29 different groups,” Mendoza mentioned. “He’s bought the instruments, he’s younger, however it wasn’t a straightforward one.”
Jose Azocar, one other outfielder, was additionally designated for project.
Paul Blackburn (knee), Sean Manaea (indirect) and Frankie Montas (lat pressure) have been positioned on the 15-day injured record.
Francisco Alvarez (hamate fracture), Jeff McNeil (indirect) and Ronny Mauricio (ACL rehab) have been all positioned on the 10-day IL.
