New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes is nearing a return to the majors after recovering from a fractured right fibula, but he anticipates doing so with a different organization. Holmes acknowledged on Saturday that a trade before Monday's deadline is "pretty likely" given the Mets' current situation.
"There are no guarantees in this sport," Holmes said at Citi Field. "In the situation we're in, it's pretty likely. We'll wait and see what the next few days hold."
Holmes, who has a player option worth $12 million for next season, stated he is "more than ready" to pitch in the majors again. However, the team appears hesitant to risk their valuable trade asset. "It seems like it's the same path and a trade is most likely," Holmes added.
Interim manager Andy Green noted that plans for Holmes' potential final rehab start in Brooklyn on Sunday could change rapidly if a trade becomes imminent. If he does pitch in Brooklyn, he is expected to throw between 70-75 pitches.
"There's a lot of interest across the industry," Green said regarding Holmes. "We'll see where it goes. As an organization, he's still getting built up. There's still work to be done."
Prior to his injury on May 15, Holmes had posted a 2.39 ERA over 52 innings in nine starts. Last season, he recorded a 3.53 ERA in 165 2/3 innings across 33 games. He described his pitches, including his sinker, sweeper, cutter, and changeup, as feeling normal and ready for competition.
Holmes did not rule out a potential return to the Mets in the future if he declines his player option, expressing continued positive feelings about the organization. "My feelings haven't changed about the Mets," he said. "Whatever happens here, I feel the same way. There's a level of uncertainty and it's hard to predict what's gonna happen at the end of the year."
With the Mets experiencing one of their worst seasons in franchise history and operating in a "sell mode," the likelihood of Holmes, and potentially other key players like Freddy Peralta, being moved increases. Holmes expressed his readiness for the next step, stating, "I'm more than ready to pitch in the big leagues. ... I want to continue to build and hope for the next start, I'm ready for the full clip, wherever that is."