New Mets Rumors on Clay Holmes Trade, Contract After Injury vs. Yankees

When New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes fractured his right fibula, it had massive implications for this season's trade market.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, "One of the most prized commodities at the trade deadline was going to be Holmes (1.86 ERA), who's expected to opt out of his contract after the season, but with a fractured tibia, he may be staying put."

Holmes' timetable for return is up in the air, as he may not need surgery, though he isn't ruling out any options.

"I don't think anything is off the table really right now," he told reporters Sunday. "I think we're still gathering opinions and whatnot. It doesn't look [like surgery will be necessary], but I think at this moment the training staff is still trying to gather as much as they can and see what's there. But like I said, it doesn't seem to be the case, but there's still some opinions being gathered on that."

With the trade deadline on Aug. 3, interested teams would surely want to see Holmes both back on the mound and once again pitching at a high level to pull the trigger on any trades. That means if he does return before August, there likely will be a very tight window to evaluate him, making a trade unlikely.