McLean on the mend after arrival at Team USA camp delayed by vertigo symptoms

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Nolan McLean’s World Baseball Classic experience was delayed by a few days after the Mets pitcher experienced what his manager called “some vertigo-like symptoms” last week.

McLean was dealing with dizziness and a loss of appetite early last week, though the pitcher said he began to turn a corner by Friday.

“I think it was some type of vestibular viral infection; vertigo-like symptoms is what it came down to. That’s the best way to explain it,” McLean said. “I'm definitely feeling better these last couple days. I haven't missed any days of throwing, grinded it through a little bit last week, still feeling the vertigo symptoms, but this week I’m feeling really good.”

The 24-year-old had been scheduled to join Team USA in Arizona on Monday, but the Mets opted to keep him in Port St. Lucie for a few extra days to make sure the issue was behind him.

“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.”

The right-hander threw a side session on Sunday, then came into the Mets’ facility during Monday’s off-day to play catch and check in with the team’s medical staff. Mendoza said McLean will pitch a Minor League game on a back field on Wednesday.

“He has to pitch for us tomorrow,” Mendoza said. “If everything goes accordingly, he'll go.”

McLean experienced what he called “a vertigo spell” when he was in high school, but it went away quickly. Last week’s issue – which McLean described as feeling “like you're spinning in circles or you're on a boat” – lingered for several days, but he said his ear issues are “in the clear now,” and he is looking forward to joining Team USA in Houston later this week.

“I was going to be pretty upset if it was something that would get taken away from me like that,” McLean said. “My body has to come first, but the way I've been feeling these last couple days, I should be trending in the right direction and still pitch for them.”

McLean – who lost five pounds last week but said he has put most of it back on – is slated to start for Team USA against Italy on March 10. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa told reporters Monday that they would reassess McLean’s status day to day.