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

Across Clay Holmes’ first two spring training stars with the New York Mets, he’s looked dazzling. In his first appearance, he recorded three perfect innings. He followed up his stellar Mets debut with another three scoreless innings earlier today.

As a closer, he rarely came back out after innings in which he threw a lot of pitches. As a starter, that will be required.

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' Clay Holmes extended his Grapefruit League scoreless streak to six innings in his second start Thursday at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.

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.

Clay Holmes discusses his scoreless outing in his second start of Spring Training, adjusting to being a starter and more

After two spring training starts, New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes has shown that the transition from reliever to starter may be no problem at all.

Clay Holmes continues to suggest that he can cut it as a starter in the majors, after all, with another strong outing during the New York Mets’ 5-0 spring training win over the Houston Astros on Thursday afternoon.