New York Mets likely to deploy spot starter on Friday; Who are the options?

With Tylor Megill out, the New York Mets will have to sift through their minor league arms for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Mar 15, 2024; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

With starter Tylor Megill headed to the IL, the New York Mets are down an arm in the rotation.

Megill, who is expected to miss at least 4-5 weeks with an elbow sprain, was scheduled to make his next start on Friday against the Phillies. With Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea nearing the end of their rehab assignments, the hope is that they will eventually slot into the rotation upon return.

But according to manager Carlos Mendoza, neither will be available to pitch on Friday, and the Mets will instead call up a spot starter.

Carlos Mendoza says Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are "not under consideration" to start Friday for the Mets with their rehab starts coming up

The expectation is for Friday's start to be a spot start pic.twitter.com/QBpnqHhwka

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 17, 2025

Earlier in the season, New York turned to Blade Tidwell for a spot start in the first game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 24-year-old allowed nine hits and six earned runs in what was his first major league outing.

Other options for Friday's start are Justin Hagenman and Brandon Waddell, who have both been called up to make long-relief appearances this season but work primarily as starting pitchers in Triple-A.

Read More: New York Mets lose starter Tylor Megill to IL in blow to rotation

Hagenman is set to pitch for Syracuse on Thursday night, while Tidwell is scheduled to go on Saturday. Also rested and ready to pitch are two of the Mets' top pitching prospects, Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean.

Mets need a spot starter for Friday. https://t.co/8TTgzKlI7T pic.twitter.com/fOfOdJ6R9H

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) June 17, 2025

Sproat, the club's No. 2 overall prospect, has had a somewhat disappointing start to 2025, pitching to a 5.31 ERA in 13 starts for Syracuse. The 24-year-old remains one of the most compelling arms in the Mets' farm, but would be a surprising call-up at this point in the season.

Read More: Mets reliever Brooks Raley impresses in rehab game

If anyone is going to make their MLB debut on Friday, the more likely case would be McLean, who has been phenomenal thus far. The Mets' No. 5 overall prospect began the season in Double-A, but was called up in early May after dominating with a 1.37 ERA in five starts. Since his move to Syracuse, the 23-year-old has a 2.56 ERA in seven appearances.

McLean is an exciting prospect with high-level stuff and a fastball that regularly touches 98 mph. His go-to pitch is the sweeper, which he throws with up to 20 inches of horizontal movement.

Right-hander Nolan McLean tonight for Triple-A Syracuse

4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K. 72 pitches (46 strikes) and generated 11 swing & misses

He threw his sweeper 39% of the time and had 8 whiffs with it. His fastball topped at 96.4 mph. Also threw cutter, sinker, change and curve pic.twitter.com/l3wIBHWDFp

— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) June 4, 2025

Calling McLean up for a spot start after just five starts in Triple-A would be a bold decision. But if the Mets deem he is ready, it could be the perfect time to bring the young righty up with the current state of the rotation.