Clay Holmes caps his masterful Mets spring by clearing critical mental hurdle

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets from spring training PORT ST.LUCIE — Clay Holmes went to the mound for the sixth inning Friday with mental fatigue to conquer.A former reliever who has stretched out to starter this spring for the Mets, the right-hander felt the full brunt of his new role, even as his arm wasn’t showing signs of duress.“Physically, I was in a pretty good spot,” Holmes said after the Mets beat the Cardinals 3-2 in an exhibition game at Clover Park.

“But, man, six up just feels like you’re pitching forever out there.That’s just a mental thing.”Holmes recorded one out in the inning, extending to 88 pitches, and was removed.

Over 5 ¹/₃ scoreless innings, he allowed two hits and struck out eight with three walks.He finished the Grapefruit League with a 0.93 ERA.The next time Holmes pitches, the game will count — on Thursday in the season opener in Houston.Holmes, who became an All-Star reliever with the Yankees, last started a regular-season game in 2018 with the Pirates.“I haven’t been this excited to attack a season, to attack a next day, in a while,” Holmes said.

“I just think it’s given me some excitement, something to look forward to, and it’s going to be a fun year.”For Holmes, it took two months to reach this point.He arrived at camp in mid-January and followed the plan designed for him by the Mets staff.

By the time the spring training games began, Holmes was already extended to three innings.“I think it’s just a testament to having some very thoughtful and intentional plan going into this,” Holmes said.“It’s nice to see it kind of come to fruition and just being in such a good spot right now.”That dedication, in part, led to manager Carlos Mendoza’s decision to tab him for the Opening Day start.Holmes will be the fifth different Opening Day starter for the Mets in the past five seasons.Th...