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The New York Mets starting rotation took a big hit Friday night.
Starting pitcher Clay Holmes broke his right leg after getting smoked by a 111 mph line drive from New York Yankees designated hitter Spencer Jones during the Mets’ 5-2 loss at Citi Field.
In the top of the fourth inning, with the Mets leading 3-0, Jones snatched Holmes’ 94 mph sinker. The ball ricocheted off Holmes’ leg into foul territory on the first base side. The 33-year-old pitcher ran to first base, then was watched by coaches and manager Carlos Mendoza.
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New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes walks to the dugout after being pulled by manager Carlos Mendoza during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees in New York, New York on May 15, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo)
Holmes remained in the match despite the fracture. His next six pitches were balls, but Holmes then got back-to-back strikeouts and struck out Aaron Judge on a fly ball with the bases loaded to end a scoreless inning.
Holmes was relieved after a walk in the fifth. He threw 95 pitches, including 26 against seven batters after being hit by Jones’ line drive.
“He said he was fine. That’s the crazy thing. We came out, checked him out, threw a few pitches and were able to finish the inning,” Mendoza said. “He comes back and he didn’t even give me a chance. He said, ‘I’m ready to go again,’ and he goes back. He sent him for X-rays and that’s what we’re dealing with now.”
Mendoza said those X-rays showed a fractured right fibula that would sideline Holmes “for a long time.”
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New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field in New York, New York on May 15, 2026. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
“That’s the hardest part to figure out. He was fine, we checked him, we finished the inning, he comes out because he feels good. And then the last pitch, something didn’t seem right. He came out, I’m talking to him in the dugout, he says, yeah, something was wrong,” Mendoza said.
Holmes had been one of the only bright spots in what otherwise would have been a dismal season for the Mets. In nine starts, he has a 2.39 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings.
Holmes (4-4) was charged with four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings in the loss, striking out eight and walking two. He entered Friday third in the National League with a 1.86 ERA.
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New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens watches pitcher Clay Holmes’ leg during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field in New York, New York on May 15, 2026. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
The Mets starter signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the team as a free agent during the 2025 offseason. Holmes was a reliever with the Yankees and the Mets converted him to a starter, where he has been reliable.
“It’s a big blow. He’s been one of the most consistent players in our rotation,” Mendoza said.
Jones, who trains with Holmes in Nashville during the offseason, said the news was difficult to hear.
“It’s hard to hear,” Jones said. “I hit the ball and then I saw it come back to me. It sounded loud.”
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New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes pitches during the second inning against the New York Yankees in New York, New York on May 15, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo)
“He’s a tough guy. Workhorse. Competitor. Says a lot about who he is to come back out there the next round with a broken leg. It’s unbelievable.”
The loss dropped the Mets to 18-26. They sit in last place in the National League East and are 12.5 games behind the red-hot Atlanta Braves (31-14) for first place in the division.
The Mets will look to bounce back against the Yankees (28-17) on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET in Game 2 of the Subway Series.
