Clay Holmes’ Cubs debut nearly didn’t happen.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks were on the verge of making a trade that would’ve sent Holmes to Phoenix before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

“Holmes was on his way to the Arizona Diamondbacks until the Mets flagged the medical reports of one of (the Diamondbacks’) prospects, and pivoted to the Cubs,” Nightengale reported Sunday, Aug. 9.

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The Cubs are surely glad the Diamondbacks’ deal fell through, even if Holmes’ debut did not go the way they hoped.

The right-hander started against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. Holmes allowed four runs in four innings in an eventual 6-3 loss.

Chicago gave up a Top-100 prospect, Jefferson Rojas, to get Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor.

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Holmes was on a minor league rehab assignment at the time of the trade. His start Saturday was his first in MLB since May. The 33-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before he fractured his right fibula.

Some rust was to be expected.

“It took a lot of work to get back to this point,” Holmes told reporters Saturday in Kansas City. “It definitely felt good to just be back in the big league game. Obviously, that’s not the full goal. You want to get back and help this team win games. I just wasn’t quite sharp enough tonight, but it was a good step.”

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The Cubs will be happy to have Holmes and Kevin Gausman to bolster a rotation that has been depleted by injuries all season long. Their injured list nearly lists a full starting rotation: Edward Cabrera (hamstring), Ben Brown (neck), Cade Horton and Justin Steele (elbow surgery recovery).

All four pitchers were potential postseason starters for the Cubs, who hope to get Holmes on track quickly.

In reality, they’re lucky to have him at all.

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