3 Up, 3 Down: Clay Holmes Dazzles, Mets Suffer Alvarez Blow

Talk about a mixed few days for the New York Mets.

While certain individuals continue to do their best to ease any worries about the starting rotation, the Mets suffered a huge blow on the injury front over the weekend.

To that end, let’s recap all the good and the bad from the last batch of Grapefruit League games in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP

HOLMES MASTERCLASS

The decision to stretch Clay Holmes into a starter looks more and more like a home run with each passing day. Granted, we’re still in the throes of spring training. It is foolish to overreact to anything during this time of year. With that said, however, Holmes has taken to his new role with ease and has looked mighty impressive thus far. His strong spring continued on Sunday against the Nationals. In three 2/3 innings, the righty extended his scoreless streak to 9 2/3 innings. He allowed one hit and walked three but struck out eight. Holmes’ nasty sinker mowed through the Nationals lineup, and he elicited 13 swings and misses in total on Sunday.

It remains to be seen just how much Holmes will be able to give the Mets as a starter over a full 162-game regular season. But, as the old adage goes, quality over quantity is always preferred. We’ve certainly seen a lot of quality from Holmes so far.

SPRING STANDOUT

Every team in baseball will see a shock star performer emerge from the monotony of spring training exhibition games. It happens every single year. Well, Max Kranick has been that man for the Mets this spring. The righty has been making impressive noise throughout camp in a bid to make the Opening Day roster. He threw another scoreless inning out of the pen on Friday, registering 97.7 mph on one of his pitches – the hardest he’s thrown in spring training. In total, Kranick has allowed no runs and no walks with four hits and eight strikeouts in seven outstanding innings. With a minor league option, it remains to be seen if Kranick does break camp with the major league ballclub.

But, whether he does or not, the 27-year-old possesses both nasty stuff and a lot of upside. As a result, he has what’s needed to become a multi-inning threat out of the bullpen at some point in 2025.

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

The entire Juan Soto experience has started perfectly for the Mets so far. By every indication, the superstar hitter with the record contract has fitted in comfortably, and he is already emerging as a real leader in that clubhouse. Furthermore, Soto has lived up to his lofty billing on the baseball diamond. In seven spring training games, the generational hitter is slashing.400/.471/.867/.1.337 with two homers, one double, two walks and five RBIs. He finished 3-for-3 against the Marlins on Saturday, including an opposite-field RBI double. All in all, Soto has come exactly as advertised. It will be a thrill to watch him put on a hitting masterclass in Queens.

3 DOWN 

ALL-TIME BODY BLOW

The Mets were dealt an especially nasty punch to the stomach on Sunday. It was announced that Francisco Alvarez willmiss six to eight weeks with a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. The catcher will undergo surgery. It is a huge blow to the Mets, who will now rely on Luis Torrens as their everyday catcher. But it is arguably a bigger blow for Alvarez, who hoped to author a comeback year after a tough 2024 season. The slugger reworked his swing and tweaked his mechanics in the hope of becoming a real X-Factor for the Mets in 2025. Instead, he will now begin the year on the shelf.

Of course, there is always the danger of setbacks and complications with any kind of injury. As such, you can make a compelling argument that the Mets should go out and bring in another catcher. Yasmani Grandal, who is a free agent, arguably offers the most offensive upside of all the options available. Other alternatives include former Mets catchers James McCann and Tomás Nido. It is important to note, however, that the latter would require a trade given that he is currently with the Tigers. The Mets do have internal options, too, but going outside of the organization for an insurance policy might be the better play.

Whatever the Mets decide to do, though, there is no replacing Alvarez, and his absence at the start of the season is a notable setback for both team and player.

SLOW PROGRESS

Setbacks are proving to be the theme of spring training for Brandon Nimmo. The outfielder is battling soreness in his right knee – a fight he is currently losing. Despite being expected to return to the lineup on Sunday, that proved to not bethe case. Instead, Nimmo received a gel injection and sat out. He will rest through at least Monday and then will continue to ramp up. However, while there is no structural damage, the persistent soreness is somewhat concerning. Nimmo has been limited to just two plate appearances so far this spring. That lack of preparation is hardly conducive to getting off to a fast and productive start in 2025. We will see what happens the rest of the way, but Nimmo’s nagging knee soreness is a worrisome development worth keeping an eye on.

TOUGH SLEDDING

Things are starting to take shape with the starting rotation, but there are still question marks over the backend. Paul Blackburn was considered a contender to win a spot at the back of that rotation. However, it has been a rough camp for the veteran. Through three starts, Blackburn has allowed eight hits, four walks, two home runs and seven runs (six earned), while recording just one strikeout. He got roughed up pretty badly in his last outing on Friday too, giving up three runs on five hits. He allowed two homers in that one while walking two batters.

As things stand, Blackburn is probably lagging behind Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning in what is effectively a three-horse race for a rotation spot. However, still recovering from spinal leak surgery, there is time for Blackburn to turn things around. After all, it isn’t about how you start but, rather, how you finish.

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