WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Mets right-hander Clay Holmes faced his first hurdle as a starting pitcher in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park.

Holmes has made all of four big-league starts, all of them as a rookie with the Pirates in 2018. He shifted to the bullpen in 2019 with Pittsburgh, eventually flourishing into an All-Star closer with the Yankees. He’s made an even 300 relief appearances since his last start.

Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes speaks on his strong spring and making the transition from being a reliever.