Mets' Nolan McLean not with Team USA yet for WBC as he battles through 'vertigo-like symptoms'
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean at spring training on Feb. 20, 2026. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Team USA begins its World Baseball Classic workouts in Phoenix on Tuesday with one notable (and alarming) absence: Nolan McLean.
But while McLean was indeed still in Florida dealing with what the Mets termed “vertigo-like symptoms,” the good news is they don’t believe the issue to be serious, and that the rookie righthander might still make his way to Arizona later this week.
McLean developed vertigo and experienced a loss of appetite last Friday but felt better by Saturday, manager Carlos Mendoza said. His symptoms subsided and he was able to throw Sunday. He’ll pitch on the Clover Park backfield in a simulated game Wednesday to ensure he’s in the clear.
“If everything goes well, he’ll report to Team USA after that,” Mendoza said. “He had symptoms and he reported some dizziness. We just decided to play it smart and keep him here under our watch before he goes out there.”
Mendoza does not believe McLean has experienced similar symptoms before.
WBC exhibition games begin Tuesday, with pool play beginning in Tokyo late Wednesday night, local time. McLean was scheduled to pitch in USA’s pool play finale against Italy on March 11. It’s unclear if that’s still the plan.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
