Mets Make a Decision on Nolan McLean’s 2026 Debut

McLean should slot into the top three in the Mets' rotation this season, providing a solid 1-2 punch with Peralta. Candidates for game two of the series with the Pirates include Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, or David Peterson. The Mets only have a handful of Spring Training games remaining on their schedule, and it is unclear if McLean will be making another start before the season begins on March 26.

The 24-year-old exploded onto the scene last year upon being called up on August 13th. He earned the victory in his first career start against the Seattle Mariners, lasting nearly six innings. The righty also struck out eight, while allowing no runs. In his eight starts in 2025, McLean notched a 5-1 record with a 2.06 ERA, 1.042 WHIP, and 57:16 K: BB ratio. 

McLean quickly turned heads last season with his elite spin rate, especially on his sweeper and curveball. He routinely hit over 3400 RPM on his curveballs, which has often been cited as the highest in the league. Being selected for Team USA is already a testament to how McLean is viewed in the baseball world. Despite struggling in the USA's loss to Italy, McLean bounced back in the championship game against Venezuela. He allowed just two earned runs in a little over four innings. 

After starting in the third game of the season, McLean will line up to make his second start on the road in San Francisco. As one of the current favorites to win National League Rookie of the Year, McLean will have a lot more eyes on him this year. The league will also have some tape on him from his action last season. It will be interesting to see how McLean handles the pressure of playing in New York as a top-of-the-rotation starter this year, compared to a late-season call-up in 2025.

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