WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In his first spring begin since being named Opening Day starter for the Mets, Clay Holmes acquired nearer to wanting the half in 4 ¹/₃ innings on Saturday in a 4-1 loss to the Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Seashores.
For the primary time in his new position, the right-hander stated he pitched by means of some fatigue through the latter a part of the beginning, as he acquired as much as 77 pitches, with the objective to be round 90 by the beginning of the season.
He’ll probably pitch with an additional day’s relaxation in his remaining Grapefruit League begin main as much as his March 27 task in Houston.
“It was good to feel that,’’ Holmes said of the added workload. “It was good to pitch through it and see how your arms and legs feel. Once you get above 70 pitches, anybody, you’ve got to make pitches. Hitters have seen you and you’re a little tired, but those pitches are important.”
It’s the subsequent step within the course of for the ex-reliever, whose transition to the rotation with the Mets has been with out a misstep thus far.
“It’s all new for him, especially when he gets to that territory,’’ manager Carlos Mendoza said of the added workload. “That’s what he’s gonna have to get used to. … Finding a way to make pitches to get people out. We feel he’s equipped to handle it.”
Jesse Winker began in left subject, because the Mets search for depth in that side of their roster — particularly with Brandon Nimmo nonetheless restricted by proper knee soreness.
Mendoza stated Winker is “preparing” to play the outfield through the common season after beginning in each nook outfield spots with each Washington and the Mets final season.
“We’ll see the way it performs out,’’ Mendoza stated of whether or not Winker can be used there once more after the addition of Juan Soto in proper subject and defensive specialist Jose Siri.
Winker will definitely be referred to as upon to DH in opposition to right-handers, because the lefty-swinging Winker might platoon with Starling Marte.
Marte continues to be getting back from knee soreness and has but to play protection, though Mendoza stated that ought to change earlier than the top of spring coaching — maybe as quickly as Wednesday.
“The goal is to get him in the outfield before we break camp,” the supervisor stated. “He continues to feel good.”
Requested pregame if something was “new,” Mendoza stated, “Nothing new. That’s a good thing.”
It meant there have been no extra accidents to report throughout a camp that’s been stuffed with them.
And not less than thus far, the Mets have gotten encouraging outcomes from a pair of pitchers who’ve handled their justifiable share of damage woes lately, as Edwin Díaz “felt good” and hit 97 mph throughout a minor league recreation in Port St. Lucie. Ryne Stanek and left-hander Danny Younger additionally appeared within the recreation.
And Mendoza additionally stated Kodai Senga felt good following his Friday night time begin, bringing him a step nearer to starting the season in stable type.
Mark Vientos was not among the many gamers to make the journey to play the Nationals on Saturday in what has been a drama-free camp for a participant who emerged as a key a part of the lineup final season.
Mendoza stated Vientos is “more mature” than at this level a yr in the past from a baseball standpoint.
“Last year, he was competing and battling [for a spot],’’ Mendoza said. “As a player, it’s a better feeling to know you’re on a team and can work on offense, defense and baserunning. That’s what he’s doing now.”
And it’s paying off.
“I see a guy who’s comfortable,” the supervisor stated. “He had success in the regular season and the playoffs. That means a lot.”
