Clay Holmes may make a final rehab start with Class-A Brooklyn on Sunday, but of more importance is the fact that the right-hander knows whenever he does return to the majors, it will almost certainly be with another organization.
“There are no guarantees in this sport,’’ the Mets right-hander said Saturday at Citi Field about the possibility of a trade by Monday’s deadline. “In the situation we’re in, it’s pretty likely. We’ll wait and see what the next few days hold.”
The right-hander, who has a player option worth $12 million for next season, has fully recovered from the fractured right fibula he suffered on a Spencer Jones comebacker on May 15 and said he was “more than ready” to pitch in the majors.
Still, he has come to grips with the reality of the situation, with the Mets not wanting to risk an injury with perhaps their most valuable trade piece.
Asked about a potential extension prior to Monday, Holmes said it remained a long shot.
“It seems like it’s the same path and a trade is most likely,’’ Holmes said.
Interim manager Andy Green said the plans to have Holmes pitch in Brooklyn on Sunday could “change at the drop of a hat,” depending on whether a deal appears to be imminent.
If the Mets go through with sending Holmes to Brooklyn, he’s expected to throw about 70-75 pitches in a third rehab outing.
“There’s a lot of interest across the industry,’’ Green said of Holmes. “We’ll see where it goes. As an organization, he’s still getting built up. There’s still work to be done.”
If Holmes ends up getting traded, he didn’t rule out a return if he declines the player option, since he was having a stellar season prior to the injury.
“My feelings haven’t changed about the Mets,’’ said Holmes, who has outperformed the three-year, $38 million deal he signed with the team prior to the 2025 season. “Whatever happens here, I feel the same way. There’s a level of uncertainty and it’s hard to predict what’s gonna happen at the end of the year.”
Holmes had a 2.39 ERA over 52 innings in nine starts before hitting the IL in May and put up a 3.53 ERA in 165 ²/₃ innings over 33 games — 31 starts — last season.
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If the Mets hadn’t been in the midst of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, Holmes’ return would have been a welcome addition to the starting rotation.
As he heads towards the deadline, Holmes said he “feels good. The sinker feels like it always has. Pretty normal.”
He was also pleased with his sweeper, cutter and changeup.
But with the Mets in sell mode and little to play for down the stretch, the two most important pieces of the rotation — Holmes and Freddy Peralta — are seeing their days numbered in Queens.
“I’m more than ready to pitch in the big leagues,’’ Holmes said. “I respect [why they want me to make another rehab start]. . . . I want to continue to build and hope for the next start, I’m ready for the full clip, wherever that is.”
