​NEW YORK (AP) — Clay Holmes took another step toward returning to the New York Mets by throwing a live batting practice session Friday, as the team learned that infielder and designated hitter Mark Vientos would be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a fractured right hand. Vientos sustained the injury Thursday after being struck by Michael Wacha’s 92 mph fastball in the second inning of the Mets’ 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The 26-year-old spun and tumbled into foul territory behind third base, ending up on his knees before he continued to run the bases, staying in the game.
Vientos said Friday that the throbbing hand hinted at a fracture from the moment he reached first base. “It started to be kind of a little bit numb. It was a painful feeling,” he recalled. “That’s when I was like, ‘This is different.’” Wearing a cast on his right hand and wrist, Vientos indicated surgery would not be necessary. After a strong start, Vientos had emerged as the Mets’ everyday first baseman, but he has cooled off in recent weeks and has since been platooning against left-handed pitchers. The at-bat against Wacha marked Vientos’ first against a right-hander since June. He is batting .211 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 73 games.
Manager Andy Green indicated that fellow right-handed hitter Eric Wagaman would likely absorb much of Vientos’ playing time while he’s out. Holmes, who suffered a broken right leg when struck by Spencer Jones’ 111.1 mph comebacker during a game against the New York Yankees on May 15, threw 40 pitches to a group that included injured second baseman Marcus Semien. “Good thing to check, just to see a hitter stand in for the first time,” Holmes said prior to the series opener against the Boston Red Sox. Holmes was expected to miss six to eight weeks, and Green said it was too soon to determine when he might begin a rehab assignment. “There are steps in between now and games,” Green noted.
Holmes had been the Mets’ most reliable starting pitcher before his injury, posting a 4-4 record with a 2.39 ERA over nine starts. With a club option for 2027, he could become a hot trade target as New York, mired in last place, nears the August 3 trade deadline.