Team USA has bolstered its starting rotation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic with the addition of New York Mets right-handers Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes, along with Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan. The announcement came on Wednesday, joining a staff led by 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. The team will open Pool B play against Brazil on March 6 in Houston.
Team USA is assembling a formidable pitching staff for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On Wednesday, the team revealed the commitments of three starters: Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes from the New York Mets, and Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins. These additions complement the rotation anchored by Paul Skenes, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner.
McLean, ranked as the No. 11 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, made a strong impression in his major league debut this August. The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts over 48 innings in eight starts.
Holmes, who spent nearly all of his first seven big league seasons as a reliever, shifted to a starting role after signing with the Mets before last season. He recorded a 3.53 ERA across 165 2/3 innings.
Ryan, a 2025 All-Star, surpassed 190 strikeouts for the second time in three seasons. He generated 3.1 FanGraphs WAR for the second consecutive year, with his 22.5% strikeout-minus-walk rate ranking fourth among qualified pitchers, behind only Skenes, Garrett Crochet, and Tarik Skubal.
Team USA's tournament journey begins in Pool B with an 8 p.m. ET game against Brazil on March 6 at Houston's Daikin Park.
