Mets right-hander Nolan McLean has improved following vertigo-like symptoms that put his availability for the World Baseball Classic in doubt.
McLean, scheduled to start Game 4 for Team USA in the finale of pool play in Houston, said on Tuesday he is greatly improved since first falling ill on 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, 24, said at the Mets’ spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The Mets kept him on a regular schedule that continues with a session on back fields on Wednesday before a decision on his travel itinerary to Houston. Team USA is holding camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., but McLean might head to Texas from Florida.
“He reported some dizziness, so we just decided to play it smart and keep him here under our watch before he goes out there,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Talking to the doctors and things like that, as of right now, he’s going to be cleared.”
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has been in touch with McLean and Mendoza about the situation. DeRosa said on Monday he considers McLean day-to-day for the WBC and on Tuesday said the righty is still on schedule.
Team USA’s fourth game of the WBC against Italy is still a full week away (Tuesday, March 10). DeRosa already set his starting pitching rotation with Logan Webb getting the start in Game 1 on Friday, facing Brazil in the pool play opener. AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal starts against Britain on Saturday and Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes is the starter against Mexico on Monday night.
