CINCINNATI — New York Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean has identified travel as a significant adjustment during his first Major League Baseball season, particularly in comparison to his time in the minors. Facing the Cincinnati Reds in Wednesday’s series finale, McLean expressed relief that the team will not have any additional games in the Pacific time zone this year.

The Mets have undergone a demanding travel schedule, making four visits to the West Coast in their first five road trips. McLean, who holds a 4.01 ERA through 14 starts, said the frequent shifts across time zones have disrupted his body’s routine and recovery process. “The human body just likes consistency,” he explained prior to Tuesday’s 5-3 loss. He added that traveling from west to east has been especially taxing.

McLean emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent daily routine to aid recovery and improve on-field performance. He welcomed the prospect of fewer time zone changes, noting that remaining mostly in the same time zone or with minimal shifts to Central time would benefit the team’s physical preparation.

Meanwhile, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza outlined plans for the pitching rotation in the upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Sean Manaea and Freddy Peralta are scheduled to start the first two games, but the Sunday starter remains undecided. Mendoza mentioned Tobias Myers and David Peterson as potential candidates, though their recent struggles have raised questions. Myers allowed seven earned runs over 1⅓ innings during Monday’s outing against Cincinnati. Mendoza also indicated that the team might consider recalling a starter from Triple-A Syracuse if necessary.

On the roster front, infielder Zack Short rejoined the Mets on Tuesday, a day after he was claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Short, 30, who previously played for New York in 2024, was added to the major league roster, while outfielder Vidal Brujan was designated for assignment to open a spot. Additionally, pitcher Jonathan Pintaro was optioned to Syracuse to make room for the return of Kodai Senga. Pintaro had allowed two earned runs across 3⅔ innings in relief during Monday’s game.

As the Mets continue to navigate both competitive and logistical challenges, maintaining player health and roster flexibility remains a priority heading into the season’s next phase.