Mets Pull Holmes from WBC for Spring Training

0:00It's March 12th for the New York Mets. Let's get into it. The New York Mets have pulled starting pitcher Clay Holmes from the World Baseball Classic to get him ready for the regular season. With opening day less than two weeks away, the team wants him focusing on his spring training build-up instead of tournament play. Holmes joined Team USA after early Mets workouts and put on a strong show, striking out six batters over three innings against Great Britain on March. 7. Still, the tournament's pitching depth meant no sure path to the steady innings he needs as a starter. Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo explained the move on social media, noting Team USA couldn't promise Holmes the workload for proper prep. After a rough 2025 season, with a lay collapse in no playoffs, the Mets are stressing rotation reliability now. Holmes heads back to the team's spring complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida and plans to pitch in a great fruit league game this Friday that lets him ramp up pitch counts the way starters require before the season starts.

1:00As the former Yankees all-star close returning starter, Holmes figures big in the Mets 2026 plans. Pulling him early shows their push for a solid opening day lineup, a message from our sponsor supports today's story. A pillow that sounds as good as it feels. Built for listening in bed, S-O-L-L-I-SOLY-PILLO.com