New York Mets first baseman Jared Young suffered concussion symptoms and was hospitalized Thursday night after a violent collision at Citi Field, where pitcher Nolan McLean’s knee struck his head during a sixth-inning play against the Philadelphia Phillies.
A Terrifying Collision at First Base
The incident unfolded during the sixth inning of the Phillies’ 3-0 victory at Citi Field, when Philadelphia outfielder Justin Crawford hit a slow roller up the first-base line. As Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean broke toward the bag to cover, first baseman Jared Young moved to field the ball, creating immediate confusion over who would field the play. With the Phillies ahead 1-0, McLean broke to first on contact and Young initially moved back toward the bag. McLean briefly paused, at which point Young reached for the ball with his right hand as he tried to keep a foot on the base. McLean resumed running, then collided with Young’s head, tripping over the first baseman as Crawford crossed the bag.
McLean attempted to jump over his teammate as Young reached for the ball, but his right knee slammed directly into the side of Young’s head. The impact sent Young face-down into the dirt, where he lay motionless for an extended period.
“That was a terrifying moment on a baseball field. Took him a while to come to. It was a really scary collision.”
Andy Green, interim manager
Medical staff and trainers from the Mets dugout rushed to the infield, immediately stabilizing Young’s head and neck and placing him on a stretcher. While the player lay motionless, players from both teams watched from the field and dugouts in visible distress. Phillies infielder Alec Bohm took a knee near third base, while Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez appeared to be praying. Andy Green and training staff rushed out.
Hospital Update and Medical Evaluation
Following emergency treatment on the field, Young was immobilized on a cart and transported to a local hospital for further examination, the Mets announced. As he left the field, he flashed a thumbs-up to the crowd as he departed, indicating he had regained consciousness. He has feeling in his extremities, the team added. Young went to the hospital during the game, and additional updates will be provided when possible.
Speaking to reporters after the game, interim manager Andy Green delivered a reassuring update on the player’s immediate condition, noting that a CT scan at the hospital came back negative and that Young retained full use of his extremities.
“He’s had a CT scan. Results have come back negative. So in that sense it’s very positive. Still experiencing real concussion symptoms right now but has full use of his extremities and feels at this point in time like we’ve avoided the scariest outcomes.”
Andy Green, interim manager
Young is 31 and earlier missed about six weeks with a left knee injury. While the play of Young has been a silver lining for the team, batting .266 with 9 home runs and 39 RBIs in 103 games.
Teammate Reaction and Game Aftermath
The emotional weight of the collision rippled through the clubhouse after the final out. Shortstop Francisco Lindor described the stark realization of seeing a close teammate incapacitated on the dirt after the Mets’ 3-0 loss to the Phillies.
“It was scary, man. It was scary to sit there and just know that he wasn’t with us in that moment. He was just somewhere else.”
Francisco Lindor, shortstop
McLean stayed, struck out the next batter, allowed one run in six innings, and exited the next inning. Crawford reached first on the play.
Mark Vientos took over at first base in New York’s lineup after Young exited the contest, while the Mets and their medical staff turned their full attention toward monitoring Young’s recovery at the hospital.
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