Nolan McLean will be representing Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but he is ill, and he must recover. Meanwhile, Carson Benge could have a breakout year in 2026.
Let’s learn more about these updates.
Nolan McLean Misses Team USA First Workout Due to Illness
Nolan McLean reportedly missed the first workout with Team USA on Monday due to illness, according to MLB insider Joel Sherman. The initial plan was for him to start the exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, but now it appears he’ll directly start Game 4 against Italy on March 10. He has stayed back with the Mets and could start for them instead on Wednesday.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Paul Skenes, Logan Webb and Tarik Skubal will pitch in the first three games of Team USA. Before that, Team USA is scheduled to play exhibition games against the Giants and the Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday.
McLean made his Mets debut in August last season. He went on to make eight starts, posting a 2.06 ERA while going 5-1. With a full season ahead, he build himself well up this Spring.
Carson Benge Rises as Potential Breakout Player for NY
The Mets have two key players heading into the 2026 season. On one side, they have Nolan McLean, who inspired hope in what appeared to be a terrible starting rotation, which ultimately cost them a spot in the postseason. On the other side, there is Carson Benge, who was drafted 19th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma State and has quickly risen through the minors.
On Baseball Night in New York, Emmanuel Berbari sided with Benge being more important than No. 1 prospect McLean. Benge, being an everyday role player, could impact the game more than a starting pitcher like McLean.
“I think Carson Benge,” Berbari said. “The Mets look at him as having superstar upside, and a superstar position player is way more valuable than any piece of your rotation.”
According to Berbari, the Mets’ starting pitching can’t do much worse than last season and the law of averages will prevail in 2026. He highlighted that Benge brings more than just one element to the game.
“Imagine what Carson Benge’s ceiling could mean to this Mets team, turning over that order, sitting eighth or ninth, with speed and pop, playing right field for this team,” Berbari added. “I think Carson Benge, when we look up in October, could mean way more to this team than Nolan McLean. I think there’s something to that.”
Both Benge and McLean enter the 2026 season as the top two prospects of the Mets. Only time will tell who does it better.
Read More News:
