Clay Holmes will rehab with High-A Brooklyn instead of returning for Mets on Sunday

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, Mets right-hander Clay Holmes is planning his return the long way, not in a big league game on Sunday. Instead of taking the mound against the Marlins, Holmes will begin a rehab start with High-A Brooklyn, a move that keeps him progressing while also allowing the Mets to plan around his absence in the near term.

Holmes has been out since May 15, when he suffered a fractured right fibula in a game against the Yankees. That injury ended any immediate expectation of a quick return, and it has now carried into the late-summer roster window where bullpen depth can become especially valuable.

According to the Mets’ team report, the rehab assignment is expected to include a pitch count between 70 and 75. That range is a typical structure for a controlled first significant outing after an extended layoff, designed to test both workload and command without pushing for a maximum effort.

The Mets had been looking at a Sunday big league appearance as a meaningful milestone for Holmes, but the rehab start indicates the club is prioritizing readiness over timing. For a relief pitcher, the transition from throwing and simulation work into game rhythm is often the most difficult step, and the Mets’ decision suggests they want him to hit that checkpoint before being asked to face major league batters again.

High-A Brooklyn, part of the Mets’ player development system, will provide the environment for that step. The assignment also underscores how MLB organizations manage recovery schedules while balancing the day-to-day needs of a bullpen, particularly as the deadline nears and roster decisions become more sensitive.

Holmes’ situation matters beyond his individual timeline. In late July and August, managers typically rely on reliable bullpen arms to cover multiple innings and to preserve leverage roles for the most important parts of the schedule. A delayed return can affect how the Mets distribute innings, especially in games where the starting pitching does not go deep.

The next thing to watch is how Holmes responds in Brooklyn. If he stays on track for workload and performance in his rehab outing, the Mets can consider the subsequent steps in a more confident sequence toward a big league activation. If the process takes longer than expected, it may further shape how New York approaches late-inning pitching both in the games leading up to the deadline and immediately after.