Nolan McLean’s Grit Keeps the Mets’ Hopes Alive

When Nolan McLean took the mound for his 30th start of the season, few could have guessed the drama that would unfold just a few innings later. He was cruising through a solid outing against the Phillies when a Justin Crawford grounder turned the sixth inning into a heart‑stopping moment.

Both McLean and first‑baseman Jared Young converged on the ball, and in the split‑second scramble McLean’s right knee found Young’s head. The impact knocked Young unconscious, and he was rushed to the hospital. It was a collision you don’t see often in baseball, and it left everyone on the field visibly shaken.

Still, McLean didn’t walk off the mound. He steadied himself, delivered a strikeout to retire Garrett Stubbs, and closed out the inning. Interim manager Andy Green described the pitcher as “shaken but determined,” noting that the youngster chose to stay in the game despite the gravity of what had happened.

“He knew it was a really bad collision and still was willing to go back out the next inning,” Green said after the game. “He’s a heck of a person and a great competitor. The humanity of the situation hit him pretty hard, but he kept his cool.”

The loss, a 3‑0 defeat, was painful enough, but it also underscored how far McLean has come this rookie season. He’s logged more starts than any National League rookie in 2026 and racked up a league‑leading 172 ⅔ innings and 189 strikeouts among his rookie peers.

Looking ahead, the Mets see McLean as a cornerstone of a rebuilding rotation that also features the likes of Christian Scott and left‑hander Zac Thornton. Young outfield prospects Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing are adding depth, but the organization’s confidence seems to rest most heavily on the right‑hander’s shoulders.

Green praised McLean’s work ethic, recalling how the pitcher pushed back when the coaching staff wanted to sit him after a short rest. “He could do the math, and he wanted to pitch. He understood what we were solving for late in the season and wasn’t afraid to take the ball,” Green explained.

Teammate Sean Manaea echoed that sentiment, saying McLean “wants to go deep into games and eat up innings.” For a 25‑year‑old in his first full major‑league season, that kind of durability is a promising sign.

Outside the regular season, McLean also logged nearly eight innings for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic before spring training even began. Green believes that experience will pay dividends as McLean continues to develop his stamina and pitch repertoire.

Injury news isn’t all bad for the Mets either. Reliever Devin Williams, who’s nursing a right‑shoulder strain, tossed live batting practice and reported feeling good. If he stays healthy, Green expects him back in the rotation by next week’s Texas series.

All told, McLean’s season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but his willingness to confront adversity—whether it’s a scary collision or a grueling workload—offers a glimpse of what the Mets could build around for years to come.