NEW YORK -- Pitching prospect Nolan McLean will make his major league debut Saturday for the New York Mets , who are hoping the right-hander can provide a boost to a struggling rotation.

McLean, 24, is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Mets' farm system by ESPN. He went 8-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 21 games, including 18 starts, between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

He struck out 127 batters in 113 2/3 innings with a five-pitch arsenal that includes a mid-to-high 90s fastball as well as a sweeper that's been clocked in the mid-80s.

"We feel good with him going out there and giving us a chance to win baseball games at the big league level," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Credit to him that he put himself in this position."

Mendoza and swingman Paul Blackburn, who was re

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