JUPITER, Fla. – Clay Holmes will forgo the remainder of the World Baseball Classic to prepare for the Mets’ season.
The right-hander was headed back to spring training Thursday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, after conversations with Team USA officials determined he was unlikely to receive the innings buildup needed for his first start this season.
Team USA has advanced to the WBC quarterfinals against Canada on Friday.
Holmes pitched three scoreless innings for Team USA against Great Britain last week.
“It was hard for Team USA to guarantee him (innings) – especially where they are at, where every game is pretty much an elimination game,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Cardinals in the Grapefruit League. “It’s hard, especially as a piggyback, to guarantee the number of pitches we are asking him to get.
“It’s not an easy spot for managers now in the WBC. It’s easy to second guess and I have been in those tournaments and people have no idea how hard it is to please every organization, so Clay had a good talk with the coaching staff and they understand.”
Mendoza indicated the plan was “fluid” for Holmes when he departed for the WBC.
“They are facing an elimination game and the starter needs to go 60-65 pitches and we’re getting there, so they understood,” Mendoza said.
Holmes will pitch in a piggyback, behind Kodai Senga, on Friday, according to Mendoza.
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