Clay Holmes' spring training debut with the New York Mets in front of the second-largest crowd in a spring home opener at Clover Park could not have gone better

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For Clay Holmes, this spring training is all about change — and a changeup. He changed from Yankees to Mets. He is changing from reliever to starter. And he has added a changeup to an expanding repertoire in the expanded role.

The Mets right-hander, who is lengthening as a starter after spending most of his career in the bullpen, is scheduled for three ups (meaning at least pitching into the third inning) on Saturday against the Astros at Clover Park, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Holmes said he would likely be capped around 50 pitches.

Mets right-hander Clay Holmes admitted it felt a little different showing up to the ballpark for Saturday's spring training opener.

The newness of Clay Holmes’ situation extended beyond making his Mets’ debut Saturday. For the first time since 2019, he was a starting pitcher.

The New York Mets' experiment of converting Clay Holmes to a starter may have gotten them another ace for the staff