Holmes set for first rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Syracuse

MILWAUKEE -- Clay Holmes is one step closer to returning to the Mets' rotation.

Holmes is scheduled to make the first rehab start of his recovery on Thursday with Triple-A Syracuse, throwing approximately three innings as he works his way back from the fractured right fibula he suffered in mid-May. The outing will mark his first game action since he was struck by a comebacker on May 15.

"Clay is scheduled to pitch in Syracuse tomorrow," interim manager Andy Green said Wednesday. "Three innings is what we're shooting for. Kind of a repeat of what he did in the live BP last week. So hopefully everything goes really well tomorrow."

Assuming Holmes comes out of the outing feeling healthy, Green indicated the veteran right-hander will likely need at least one more rehab appearance before rejoining the Mets, though that timeline remains flexible.

"Most likely depends on how he comes through it," Green said. "But I think that's probably a fair guess."

Before the injury, Holmes had emerged as one of the Mets' steadiest starters, posting a 2.39 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 45 strikeouts across 52 2/3 innings over nine starts. With the Trade Deadline approaching, the pending free agent remains one of the club's most intriguing trade candidates, but Thursday's rehab assignment represents the next important step towards making him an option for either the Mets or a potential contender down the stretch.