New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean is bouncing back from dizzy spells that had threatened to sideline him from the World Baseball Classic.
The 24-year-old right-hander, who’s slated to take the mound for Team USA in their fourth pool play game in Houston, reported significant improvement since becoming ill last Friday.
“I haven’t missed any days of throwing. I kind of grinded through it a little bit last week, still feeling the vertigo symptoms, but this week I’m feeling pretty good,” McLean told reporters Tuesday from the Mets’ spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
New York has maintained McLean’s normal pitching routine, with another practice session planned for Wednesday’s back fields before finalizing his travel plans to Houston. While Team USA is conducting their preparation camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, McLean may fly directly from Florida to Texas.
“He reported some dizziness, so we just decided to play it smart and keep him here under our watch before he goes out there,” explained Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza. “Talking to the doctors and things like that, as of right now, he’s going to be cleared.”
Team USA’s manager Mark DeRosa has maintained regular communication with both McLean and Mendoza regarding the pitcher’s condition. After calling McLean day-to-day for the WBC on Monday, DeRosa confirmed Tuesday that the hurler remains on track for his assignment.
The United States faces Italy in their fourth WBC contest, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 – still a full week away. DeRosa has already established his starting rotation, tapping Logan Webb for Game 1 against Brazil this Friday. American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will start Saturday’s matchup with Britain, while Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes gets the ball Monday evening against Mexico.
