McLean Shows Repertoire in Tough-Luck Loss

Before Monday’s 1-0 loss to the Phillies, Carlos Mendoza said that Nolan McLean has “a lot of different weapons that can get hitters out.” The rookie took the ball and made the manager’s words ring true.

He struck out Bryce Harper looking at a 96 mph sinker in the first inning. With two on and two out in the second, he got Otto Kemp to swing through an 88 mph change-up. Harper came up empty for strike three on an 80 mph curve in the fifth. (The two-time MVP is 1-for-6 with three strikeouts against McLean.)

McLean (4-1) gave up one run on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five, walked three and suffered the first loss of his career in front of 40,388 at Citizens Bank Park. He was facing a potent Phillies lineup for the second time in 12 days and the nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand ripped off in the second or third inning.

The Phillies got the only run of the game in the second when they connected for four singles and the damage might have been worse but Cedric Mullins threw out Harrison Bader when he tried to stretch his single into a double. McLean said after the game that he realized Philadelphia was looking for his sweeper so he adjusted.

Edmundo Sosa, who singled on a sweeper in the second, saw three sinkers and a curve when he struck out in his next at-bat.

McLean’s ERA is at 1.42 through five starts, his WHIP is 0.95 and he’s struck out 33 in 31 2/3 innings. Terry Leach, who was used mostly in relief but made spot starts in the 1980s, is the only Mets pitcher with a better ERA through five starts.

“We knew there was something different about him,” Mendoza said pre-game. “The way he goes about his business, the way he carries himself. But we knew that he needed time to continue his development. But man, what we’re seeing here, this kid, special. You know, he’s got a chance to be special. But I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. Just continue to take it one outing at a time.

“He knows where we’re at. They all know where we’re at. It’s just fun to watch him pitch.”

McLean is now just 18 innings shy of the rookie limit, likely with three more regular season starts to go. Surely the Mets will manage his innings load in that regard to ensure rookie status for the 2026 season, but he’s already thrown 35 more innings this year than he has in any other calendar year. They’ll protect his arm for the playoffs this year—and to potentially lead the rotation next year.

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