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Mets' Clay Holmes Fractures Fibula, Rotation In Jeopardy

5/16/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Holmes Fractures Fibula

Clay Holmes fractured his fibula on May 15, 2026, after a 111.1 mph comebacker off Spencer Jones in the 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
He recorded eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, raising his ERA to 2.39, and was deemed by Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to be down for a long time.
Mendoza noted the rotation lacks right-hander Kodai Senga and may add Sean Manaea, Jonah Tong (5.68 ERA) or Jack Wenninger (1.08 ERA).

Summary

Holmes to IL

The Mets can move pitcher Holmes to the 60-day injured list, opening a roster spot.
Holmes, who pitched for the New York Yankees from 2021-2024, joined the Mets as a free agent.
The Mets also list injuries to Francisco Lindor (strained calf), Francisco Alvarez (torn meniscus), Luis Robert (spine disc herniation) and Jorge Polanco (Achilles, wrist).
Fantasy owners lose Holmes for months, with teammate Spencer Jones expressing sympathy.

Summary

Holmes Opt-Out

Holmes’ three-year, $38 million contract includes an opt-out for the final year, which is now in doubt after his fractured fibula.
The injury prevents any Mets trade before the Aug. 3 deadline and forces the club to absorb his full 2026 salary while he is unavailable.
If he returns, analysts say Holmes could become a high-priced free-agent starter, reshaping the winter market despite uncertainty over his contract’s marketability.

History

Historical Context

When Boston signed injured Curt Schilling in 2004, Theo Epstein and owner John Henry agreed to pay his salary despite elbow surgery, and Schilling posted a 21–6 record as Boston captured the World Series. The 2026 Mets followed that precedent, placing pitcher Clay Holmes on the 60-day IL after a May 15 fibula fracture, reinforcing the league’s practice of absorbing contracts for injuries.

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Holmes Fractures Fibula

Clay Holmes fractured his fibula on May 15, 2026, after a 111.1 mph comebacker off Spencer Jones in the 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
He recorded eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, raising his ERA to 2.39, and was deemed by Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to be down for a long time.
Mendoza noted the rotation lacks right-hander Kodai Senga and may add Sean Manaea, Jonah Tong (5.68 ERA) or Jack Wenninger (1.08 ERA).

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