Mets' Clay Holmes takes off for World Baseball Classic after strong outing

"I remember [Altuve] being in the on-deck circle, telling me this is way better than Yankees-Astros. And this is Jose Altuve telling me this in the middle of the game. That goes to show you how intense it is and the meaning for every player, for all of us who get to experience it. That's what I told those guys before they left. Make sure you enjoy it because it's something that you will never forget."

"The Mets have 18 players in the World Baseball Classic, tied with the Mariners for most in baseball (one, Joe Jacques, is part of the designated pitcher pool and will only suit up for Italy if it advances past the first round). Of those, eight are on the 40-man roster: Juan Soto and Huascar Brazoban (Dominican Republic), Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean (USA), Mark Vientos (Nicaragua), Alex Carrillo (Mexico), Nick Morabito (Italy) and Jared Young (Canada)."

"It's a significant commitment, particularly considering the ill-fated, season-ending knee injury Edwin Diaz suffered while pitching in the WBC in 2023, but it also speaks to how important the tournament is to the players who get to represent their home countries."

The Mets have 18 players participating in the World Baseball Classic, tied for the most in baseball. Eight of these players are on the 40-man roster, representing countries including the Dominican Republic, USA, Nicaragua, Mexico, Italy, and Canada. Carlos Mendoza, now the Mets manager, recalled his experience as a bench coach for Venezuela during the 2023 WBC, where Jose Altuve expressed how the tournament's intensity surpassed regular season rivalries. Despite risks highlighted by Edwin Diaz's season-ending injury in 2023, players remain committed to the tournament. Clay Holmes earned his first WBC invitation, reflecting his successful transition from reliever to starter.

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