The Clay Holmes starting pitching experiment has hit a rough patch.

Early in the season, the New York Mets looked like geniuses for signing Holmes, a two-time All-Star closer who hadn't started a game since 2018, to convert back into a starter. But the second half of the season was always going to be the real test.

After putting up a 2.97 ERA in 88 innings over his first 16 starts, Holmes has compiled a 5.45 ERA since the start of July, tossing 38 innings over eight starts. On Tuesday, he had his worst outing of the year, allowing a season-high five earned runs and only making it through 3 2/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves.

The whole Mets rotation is in flux right now, as Frankie Montas was demoted to the bullpen and top prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean loom as options to

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