In his Major League debut, Nolan McLean was never likely to avoid trouble altogether. It’s what McLean did once trouble found him that mattered most. McLean reached behind his back to stab a Julio Rod

With Nolan McLean gearing up for his MLB debut on Saturday, the Mets were forced to make a corresponding move and they've made it, designating Paul Blackburn for assignment.

Roupp missed most of 2023 and spent much of 2024 in the bullpen, throwing just 76 2/3 innings, making one wonder how he was going to hold up as a full-time starter for the Giants this season. He was already up to 101 1/3 innings -- just six off his career high from 2022 -- when he went on the IL last month with elbow inflammation.

The Mets could use some big-time help, so who better to call upon than a guy occasionally called Cowboy Ohtani?