2026 Injury Report: Updates on McLean, O’Brien, Uceta

The Rays are set to be without their likely top late-inning reliever for the start of the 2026 season. But in better news for both the Mets and Team USA, Nolan McLean should be fine for the World Baseball Classic and beyond after he dealt with vertigo earlier in camp.

McLean not yet with Team USA

Mets pitcher Nolan McLean was dealing with a bout of vertigo, which is why he has yet to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Per Newsday in New York, McLean’s symptoms have subsided since first dealing with them last week.

McLean is scheduled to throw a side session on March 4 before he will likely join the United States for group play.

O’Brien to debut this week

Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien is scheduled to make his Spring Training debut later this week, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

O’Brien has not pitched in a game this spring to this point, thanks to a right calf strain.

On another Cardinals-related note, outfielder Lars Nootbaar will start the season on the injured list. Nootbaar has offseason surgery on both of his heels.

Uceta likely unavailable for Opening Day

The Rays will likely be without tentative closer Edwin Uceta for the start of the 2026 season — and likely longer than that,

Kyle Snyder, the Rays’ pitching coach, noted earlier this week that Uceta is “probably” another couple of weeks away from throwing off a mound (h/t Tampa Bay Times). The reliever has been dealing with a shoulder injury this spring.

Uceta was slated to pitch for the Dominican Republic this month, as well.

Other notes

Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez will not play on March 3 against Puerto Rico thanks to back spasms.

Rays infielder/outfielder Gavin Lux has been sidelined thanks to general soreness (h/t Tampa Bay Times).

Tommy Edman (ankle) has begun to take swings in the batting cage as he recovers from offseason surgery. Additionally, Emmet Sheehan has been sidelined this spring thanks to an illness (h/t California Post).