HOUSTON — Clay Holmes opened the season last year in Houston.
That’s about the only similarity from then to now.
Since that Opening Day with the Yankees against the Astros, he’s switched uniforms and jobs in about as stark a way as possible.
No longer is Holmes the Yankees closer.
Instead, he’s a key part of the Mets rotation.
“It’s an interesting feeling,” Holmes said Wednesday at Daikin Park. “Opening up here is like déjà vu, but a lot is different: a new team, new role … I get to start, something I’ve always wanted to do.”
And the Mets have a lot riding on the right-hander, who signed a three-year, $38 million contract to join their rotation after pitching out of the bullpen for nearly his entire major league career.
That first game in Houston last season was something of a sign of things to come for Holmes, who gave up three hits before barely escaping with a save thanks in part to Juan Soto throwing out Mauricio Dubón at the plate to prevent the tying run from scoring.
The Yankees ended up sweeping the four-game set at then-Minute Maid Park and they were off to the races.
Holmes picked up the save in three of those games, but ultimately lost the closer job later in the season.
Still, he knows how important these types of games can be to a team with lofty aspirations.
“That series felt like a playoff series,” Holmes said of the initial set in Houston. “I remember people talking about it afterwards, saying there’s no easing into the season. It’s full bore. It’s good to get a little jump start. It’s what you sign up for, the baseball you want to play, whether it’s March, April or October. You want these games to be exciting and to mean a lot.”
There will be no shortage of that for the Mets this season.
Holmes will be a significant part of that, especially in the early part of the regular season, with Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat), as well as Paul Blackburn, opening on the injured list.
He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of other relievers like ex-Yankee teammate Michael King, as well as current Red Sox Garrett Crochet, who left the bullpen for the rotation and found success.
Asked about his goals, Holmes said, “For me, let’s get through five starts and see where we’re at. It’s one start at a time with this being so new. It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”
He and the Mets will measure his early results and see if his new routine needs any tweaking.
Holmes said he’s received pointers from King, who he used to watch take meticulous scouting reports in the bullpen with hopes of being a starter, and Crochet, who relies more on his elite arsenal.
“Everybody’s a little different and has a different set of challenges,’’ Holmes said.
Now armed with a changeup and cutter, Holmes is set to test himself against the Astros.
“I went into spring training knowing they had a chance to be weapons to get outs,’’ Holmes said. “Now, I trust the contact a little more. [Pitching in] spring was able to do that for me. I was able to get some outs with those pitches.”