Nolan McLean’s 30th start of the season was unlike any other. 

As he was cruising through another stellar outing, he suddenly was involved in a frightening collision with Jared Young at first base in the Mets 3-0 loss to the Phillies on Thursday at Citi Field. 

On a Justin Crawford grounder, McLean inadvertently kneed the first baseman in the head as both players tried to field the ball with two outs in the top of the sixth. 

The impact into the side of his head knocked Young unconscious, and he ended up in the hospital. 

McLean managed to stay in the game and retired Garrett Stubbs on a strikeout to end the sixth inning. 

Interim manager Andy Green said McLean was “shaken” after the play. 

“He knew it was a really bad collision and still was willing to go back out the next inning,” Green said. 

Green regretted even letting McLean finish the sixth. 

“He was still strong enough to do it,’’ Green said. “He’s a heck of a person [and] a great competitor. I think the humanity [of the situation] hit him pretty hard right there.” 

It was an unfortunate turn in what’s been an outstanding rookie season for McLean, who had hoped to be part of a playoff run. 

Nolan McLean walks off the mound after getting out of the fifth inning in the Mets’ 3-0 loss to the Phillies on Sept. 17, 2026 at Citi Field. Jason Szenes for New York Post

But those plans ended a while ago and even McLean’s standout season wasn’t enough to get the Mets past their awful start. 

Still, as they look to the future and believe they’ve found some good young outfielders in Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, they’re also confident McLean can front a rotation that should also include pitchers with solid futures ahead of them like Christian Scott and lefty Zac Thornton. 

None is more important than McLean. 

Nolan Mclean (above) inadvertently hits Jared Young in the head with his right knee during a collision in the sixth inning of the Mets’ loss to the Phillies. Jason Szenes for New York Post

No rookie National League pitcher has made more starts than McLean in 2026 and he also has a league among rookies with 172 ²/₃ innings and 189 strikeouts. 

As Green noted before the game, it’s not enough for McLean, who is scheduled to make one more start on the road before the end of the year. 

“We’re encouraged he could handle that workload and demonstrate that durability,’’ Green said. “Frankly, he pushed back on me when we didn’t give him a start [Wednesday on four days’ rest]. He could do math. … I like the fact he pushed back on me and wanted to pitch. I also liked that he understood what we were solving for late in the season and there wasn’t a reason to pitch on four days.” 

Instead, McLean will likely have to settle for one more in Texas on Wednesday. 

“He’ll take the ball every chance he gets,” Sean Manaea said. “He wants to go deep into games and eat up innings. And he puts in the work every day. For his first full season [in the majors], it’s pretty incredible.” 

For the Mets to make sure they aren’t in a similar situation down the stretch in the future, McLean will have to build on what he’s done. 

At 25, that isn’t far-fetched. 

As Green noted, McLean also took on the added pressure of pitching in the World Baseball Classic before the season. McLean pitched 7 ²/₃ innings in the tournament before spring training was over, which Green believes will serve him well in the future. 

“He can concoct a scenario in his head that he’s “got to get to 220 innings because that’s what I want to do the rest of my career.’ You love that about him and the way he’s wired and the way he wants to compete.” 

Devin Williams, on the injured list with a right shoulder strain, threw live batting practice Thursday and said he felt good. 

If that stays the case after he recovers Friday, Green said Williams could be in a game Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, when the team is in Texas. 

Green said Williams wants to “pitch in games as quickly as possible. Our [goal] is to ensure he’s as healthy as possible before he pitches in games. We’re trying to reconcile those two things.” 

Green added that if Williams gets back, the team isn’t sure if he’ll pitch in the ninth inning.