NEW YORK – Mets right-hander Clay Holmes hasn’t pitched since mid-May after suffering a fractured right fibula on May 15 against the Yankees. Holmes was pitching in the fourth inning at Citi Field when Spencer Jones struck him on the right leg with a 111.1 mph comebacker.
Since that day, progress has been made: Holmes had his first simulated session with rehabbing second baseman Marcus Semien in the batter’s box on Friday afternoon. Semien did not swing the bat. Holmes threw 40 pitches, or approximately two innings, without any problems. The next time Holmes faces hitters will likely be in Florida during the All-Star break.
“Just to see a hitter stand in [the batter’s box] and throw my pitches, it was a good day,” he said. “Hopefully, I will face some [more] hitters next time and keep building the pitch count up.”
Interim manager Andy Green liked what he saw from Holmes.
“It looked like Clay, which is really good,” the skipper said. “His stuff was moving all over the place. It was great to see him on the mound. I think we are all encouraged to see where Clay is. He felt really good coming off the mound. He will keep moving forward to his next step.”
Holmes was New York’s best pitcher before the injury. In nine starts, he was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA. His bWAR of 1.9 still ranks tied for second on the team.
“You want to be healthy, just be in it with the guys. It’s tough being out. … I look forward to being healthy here soon,” Holmes said.
Semien getting close
Semien, on the injured list because of a left hip flexor strain, appears close to a rehab assignment. After appearing in Holmes’ simulated session on Friday, Semien took live batting practice without any problems, according to Green.
“He looked like Marcus. He had a heavy workload today, and that workload will have some determination on what the next step is for him,” Green said.