Clay Holmes, formerly known as a prominent relief pitcher, has made headlines in the 2025 MLB season for a significant transition in his pitching career. Once a highly effective closer for the New York Yankees, Holmes is now taking on the role of a starting pitcher with the New York Mets. This article explores his career evolution, on-field performance, and the impact of his recent contract and pitching adjustments.
Transitioning from Closer to Starter
Clay Holmes spent the 2022 to 2024 seasons as a dominant closer for the Yankees, racking up an impressive 74 saves, including a career-high 30 saves in 2024. Known for his exceptional ability to generate groundballs, Holmes maintained a groundball rate above 60% in every year except his rookie season, showcasing his skill in inducing weak contact from hitters. This ability placed him among the elite groundball pitchers, comparable to stars like Framber Valdez and Max Fried.
In the 2025 offseason, Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the New York Mets, a deal that marked a major role change. The Mets decided to develop Holmes as a starting pitcher, a role he had not played since 2018, when he threw 127.2 innings. His 2025 season statistics include a 9-6 win-loss record, a 3.46 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts over approximately 122 innings, reflecting a solid adaptation to the demands of starting pitching.
Holmes’s transition has involved a careful workload build-up and the introduction of new pitching techniques, including a recently developed “Kick Change” pitch, which he discussed in spring training. This new pitch aims to enhance his strikeout capabilities and effectiveness deeper into games. His spring training performance was impressive, allowing only two hits and striking out 13 batters in just under 10 innings, which boosted confidence in his new role.
Impact and Future Outlook
Holmes debuted as the Mets’ Opening Day starter for the 2025 season, a testament to the Mets’ confidence in his ability to start games despite his long history as a reliever. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised his spring form and the smoothness of his transition. Holmes has also been working closely with pitching coach Desi Druschel to refine his mechanics and manage his workload efficiently, emphasizing player health and performance sustainability.
His evolving pitching arsenal and experience as a high-leverage reliever add valuable depth to the Mets’ rotation. Given his history and current performance, Holmes is viewed as a potential bargain signing if he continues to produce like the top groundball pitchers in the league. However, his innings pitched are likely to remain below 130 this season as he adjusts to the starter’s role, with some speculation that a return to relief could occur if the experiment does not meet expectations.
Off the field, Holmes has embraced the Mets’ culture and chemistry, showing enthusiasm for his teammates and the club’s competitive mindset. His relationship with catcher Francisco Álvarez and the influence of the veteran clubhouse, including star players like Juan Soto, have reportedly played a positive role in his transition. Holmes’s career evolution this year represents not only a personal challenge but also a strategic move by the Mets to strengthen their pitching staff.
In summary, Clay Holmes’s transformation from a premier closer to a starting pitcher has been the defining story of his 2025 season. His solid early results and innovative pitching approaches highlight his adaptability and commitment. While questions remain about his stamina and role long-term, Holmes’s performance so far suggests he could be a significant asset to the Mets’ rotation. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Holmes continues to navigate this crucial phase of his pitching career.
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