Rookie Nolan McLean excited to join Mets and help struggling rotation
Two days later, he was in New York preparing to make his major league debut on Saturday and hoping to help a struggling rotation during a playoff race.
'I think it was a surprise,' McLean said before the Mets opened a three-game series against Seattle on Friday. 'I was trying to do my best to stay in the moment and be with Syracuse as much as I could.'
McLean is joining a rotation that began Friday with a 5.31 ERA in the last 52 games, 25th amongst the 30 teams. Overall, the Mets have a 3.77 ERA from their rotation, but they began Friday with 33 losses in the last 52 games.
McLean, 24, was 8-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 21 games, including 18 starts, between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. He struck out 127 batters in 113 2/3 innings and displayed a five-pitch arsenal that includes a mid-to-high 90s fastball as well as a sweeper that's been clocked in the mid-80s.
'I think just the ability to throw strikes with most of my pitches in any count,' McLean, who held hitters to a .185 average in Triple-A, said of his strengths. 'Wasn't scared to flip sliders in there, behind counts, early in counts. Whatever it might have been.'
McLean, who played for Oklahoma State, is the first member of the Mets' 2023 draft class to reach the majors. He is replacing Frankie Montas, who was sent to the bullpen Tuesday after going 3-2 with a 6.38 ERA in his first eight games, including seven starts.
'It's a dream come true. I remember telling my dad when I was really little, seeing some big leaguers play,' McLean said.
McLean has thrown at least six innings in nine starts this season. He reached at least 90 pitches seven times, most recently on Aug. 5.
'Obviously he earned it,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Worked really hard. Credit to him, people in player development. He's a big league pitcher.'
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Had Words for Dwight Howard
Earlier in 2025, the NBA had confirmed that Dwight Howard would be among the players inducted into the Hall of Fame. The former NBA star made eight All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams, five All-Defense teams, won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. After Howard found out about his induction, he took to his personal X account to reveal who he wanted to present him at the Hall of Fame, writing, "I want KG , Shaq, and Kareem to walk me out," with a prayer emoji and a #hof. Howard clearly indicated that he and O'Neal had squashed their years-long beef with one another through this message. However, on August 7, the Basketball Hall of Fame announced who would be presenting for each player who got inducted. In Howard's case, that would be Patrick Ewing, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman, and Dominique Wilkins. O'Neal's name was not on the list. Shaquile O'Neal Reveals How He And Dwight Howard Worked Things Out Over the weekend, FOX Sports' Rachel Nichols talked to O'Neal about Howard, where the former confirmed that he would be on stage to present for the latter at the Hall of Fame. He also explained to Nichols how he and Howard squashed their beef with each other. "We finally had a heart-to-heart," O'neal told Nichols. "The same thing I did with him, the same thing I did with Kobe (Bryant), (Dwyane) Wade, Penny Hardaway. That's how I motivate young players to become great. I treat 'em like I don't like 'em and I try to get 'em upset because I know guys like Dwight and Penny and Kobe especially and D-Wade. When you upset 'em, they play at a higher level. "But we hashed it out. He thought I generally disliked him. I told him, 'No, that's not the case.' As a leader, sometimes you have to find different ways of motivating youngsters." The difference between Howard and the other former NBA stars O'Neal mentioned is that he was never teammates with him, though they did play for a few of the same teams, most notably the Lakers and the Orlando Magic. During Howard's playing days, he and O'Neal had some choice words for each other, particularly because Howard called himself Superman as a nickname when O'Neal did the same thing when he played. This has led to an argument on X even after Howard's NBA days were over. Still, it appears Howard and O'Neal have put that behind them, as Howard has voiced his desire to have O'Neal there, and O'Neal has confirmed that the feeling is mutual. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Braves third baseman Austin Riley's injury-shortened season ends following core surgery
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley will miss the remainder of the season after having core injury surgery on Thursday. The Braves announced the surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Riley, who was placed on the 10-day injured list for the second time in two months on Aug. 4 with a strained lower abdominal muscle, is expected to return in time for spring training next year. Riley first landed on the IL on July 12 with a strained abdomen. He returned on July 25 and finished the season hitting .260 with 16 homers and 54 RBI. The Braves also claimed right-hander Cal Quantrill off waivers from the Miami Marlins and optioned right-hander Dane Dunning to Triple-A Gwinnett. Also, the team added outfielder Jake Fraley to its roster after optioning RHP Connor Seabold to Gwinnett. Fraley was designated for assignment by Cincinnati on Sunday before being claimed by the Braves. Left-hander Dylan Dodd was recalled from Gwinnett, and infielder Luke Williams was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique muscle. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Guardians' Bo Naylor starting to feel confident after making offensive adjustment
Guardians' Bo Naylor starting to feel confident after making offensive adjustment originally appeared on The Sporting News Cleveland Guardians' slugger Bo Naylor has struggled at the plate this season. Through 96 games, he is hitting .179/.276/.357 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs, and 29 runs batted in. Naylor has made adjustment after adjustment this season, with not a lot of success. However, his most recent change at the plate resulted in a four-hit game on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, giving him some of his confidence back. According to Paul Hoynes, Naylor has shied away from a traditional leg kick and has replaced that with a toe tap at the plate. This allows him to get his foot on the ground earlier and time up baseballs better. "Our hitting group, looking at video from a different angle, they figured my loading pattern was better suited for a toe tap - foot on the ground - as opposed to a leg kick," said Naylor. "I was a little inconsistent in getting to the same position with the kick, so they felt the toe tap would allow me to get to the ground earlier and let my body sequence the way it's meant to." Bo Naylor is not the only Guardians slugger struggling offensively While Naylor blasted four hits in Sunday's game, he knows he is still not out of the hole. He understands there is still work that needs to be done, but he is happy to see the progress he is making. "It's been a good progression. There are some things to clean up and work on, but it's been going well so far." An improved Naylor at the plate could be exactly what this club needs to get things going as the regular season continues to dwindle. The Guardians currently sit with a .227 team batting average, the worst in all of MLB.
