Morning Briefing: Clay Holmes Praises Pitching Additions
Good morning, Mets fans!
Clay Holmes is already buying into the new Mets pitching culture. Reporters talked to Holmes, and he praised new pitching coach Justin Willard and Freddy Peralta for bringing “great energy,” adding that Peralta is “a special pitcher” who brings leadership and intensity every day.
Holmes talked more about his outlook as a starter and pitching in the upcoming World Baseball Classic here.
Clay Holmes (35) Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Now onto the morning briefing!
Latest Mets News
As compiled by Mike Mayer, the Mets will have a strong presence in the World Baseball Classic, with players representing a wide range of countries: Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean will suit up for Team USA; Jared Young for Canada; Daviel Hurtado for Cuba; Mark Vientos for Nicaragua; Juan Soto and Huascar Brazóban for the Dominican Republic; Carlos Guzman for Venezuela; Ben Simon, Jordan Geber, Robert Stock and Josh Blum for Israel; Nick Morabito for Italy, Alex Carrillo and Daniel Duarte for Mexico; Jose Ramos for Panama; and Jamdrick Cornelia for the Netherlands.
Read more on the WBC rosters here.
A key member of the Mets’ booth is officially staying put. New York Post reporter Mike Puma wrote that Keith Hernandez has agreed to a three-year deal to return to the SNY booth with partners Ron Darling and Gary Cohen. Hernandez’s workload will drop from 110 games to 91 this season.
Latest MLB News
Team USA officially rolled out its roster, as USA Baseball announced the country’s squad ahead of the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which will be managed by Mark DeRosa.
MLB players could soon be headed to the Olympics. Boston Globe reporter Tim Healey revealed that MLB is considering allowing players to participate in the 2028 Olympics, and stars like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Bryce Harper and Corbin Carroll have already expressed interest in suiting up for Team USA.
The Tampa Bay Rays unveiled their long-awaited stadium vision, as Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin revealed the first renderings of a 31,000-seat, fixed-roof ballpark planned for the Hillsborough College site in Tampa. The project is part of a massive $8–10 billion mixed-use development and is targeting a 2029 opening, just after the Rays’ Tropicana Field lease expires in 2028.
ESPN insider Jeff Passan reported that right-handed submariner Josh Hejka, a former Met, agreed to a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers.
ESPN’s Passan also reported that Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case, securing a record-setting $32 million salary for 2026, the largest win in MLB arbitration history.
Arizona Republic reporter Nick Piecoro noted that the Diamondbacks traded Blaze Alexander to the Orioles in exchange for Kade Strowd, Wellington Aracena (former Met) and infielder José Mejía.
ESPN reporter David Purdum dropped a bombshell and reported that indicted Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is now accused of throwing suspect pitches in at least 48 games over two seasons to benefit bettors, far more than originally disclosed.
Latest on MMO
Patrick Glynn writes about the 2026 NL East catching rankings.
Robert Colonna details where some Mets prospects land in the main 100 prospects list.
On This Date in Mets History
1998: The New York Mets acquired left-handed pitcher Al Leiter from the Florida Marlins in exchange for pitchers A.J. Burnett, Jesus Sanchez and outfielder Robert Stratton. Over his seven seasons with the Mets, Leiter established himself as one of the franchise’s most reliable frontline starters. He recorded a 95-67 win-loss record (.586) with a 3.42 ERA across 213 starts. In total, he pitched 1,360 innings, allowing 1,222 hits and 517 earned runs while striking out 1,106 batters and walking 546, resulting in a WHIP of 1.30 and a strong ERA+ of 124.
Leiter was a key contributor to the Mets’ playoff runs in 1999, when he threw a crucial complete game against the Reds in Game 163, and in 2000, when he helped anchor a rotation that won the National League pennant.
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