Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. PORT ST. LUCIE Through two outings, Clay Holmes transition from closer to starter has been nearly flawle s. He to sed three innings Thursday in the Mets 5-0 Grapefruit League win over the Astros and gave up no runs, one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. He increased his workload, throwing 42 pitches compared to 34 in his first start as he continues to build up his endurance. He threw 17-18 more pitches in the bullpen afterward. Holmes has pitched six innings and given up just one hit and one walk with five strikeouts in two starts this spring. Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) throws in the first inning of a Spring Training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, Kris Dunn Jersey in Port St. Lucie, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST I feel like I was in a great spot to keep pitching, Holmes said. Even after I finished there, I feel a lot better than I did last time when I finished in the bullpen. I can see that I continue to adjust to the workload. I really feel like things are trending in the right direction. Explore More Thursdays showing marked a significant step in that proce s, as well. His 42 pitches included 20 in the first inning as he worked around a Christian Walker double that really was just a bloop to right field. Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on February 27, 2025. Gordon Donovan/NurPhoto/Shutterstock See Also New York Mets As a closer, Holmes rarely came back out after innings in which he threw a lot of pitches. As a starter, that will be required. And Holmes fared well after the heavy first inning, recording a 1-2-3 second inning and retiring six of the next seven Astros batters. He reached 95 mph in his third inning, though acknowledged hes still figuring out when not to throw his hardest in order to save himself for later innings. Its a very game-like situation, where I have a long first inning, throw [20] pitches and you got 60 pitches to get five or six innings, Holmes said. And just feeling that on your body, its new. Feeling that taxing inning and then having to do it time and time again, its definitely good to experience. Brandon Sproat, the Mets top pitching prospect, will start Fridays game against the Nationals. New York Mets pitcher Brandon Sproat (91) pitches live batting practice at spring training. Jim Ra sol-Imagn Images Itll be his first outing this spring. The Mets signed Jos Urea as a non-roster invite for potential rotation depth, The Posts Jon Heyman reported. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Urea was with the Rangers last year and recorded a 3.80 ERA. He spent the first six years of his career with the Marlins before stints with the Tigers, Brewers, Rockies and White Sox. He had largely been a starter previously, though was used more as a reliever last year. Griffin Canning, an option to earn a spot in the rotation due to s and injuries, made his first outing of the spring and to sed 1 / scorele s innings with two strikeouts. Brett Baty hit his second home run of the spring Thursday and is 6-for-11 at the plate. Clint Capela Jersey