New York Mets first baseman Jared Young was carted off the field and hospitalized Thursday after being kneed in the head by pitcher Nolan McLean while both players were attempting to cover first base during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field.
Justin Crawford hit a slow roller up the first-base line
The play unfolded in the top of the sixth inning when the Phillies’ Justin Crawford hit a slow roller up the first-base line. Both Young and McLean, the Mets‘ starting pitcher, converged to field the ball. As Young dove toward the grounder, McLean attempted to jump over his teammate. McLean’s right knee made contact with the side of Young’s head, sending the first baseman face down and motionless into the dirt.
Young lay on the field for an extended period of time afterward while being tended to by medical personnel. He was surrounded by McLean and the Mets’ training staff as they placed him in a neck brace and helped him onto a stretcher. McLean remained in the game despite being involved in the collision.
Andy Green told reporters that Jared Young avoided the scariest outcomes
The Mets announced shortly after Young was injured that he had feeling in his extremities and was being taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Eventually, a group of paramedics carted him off the field. As he departed, Young flashed a thumbs-up to the crowd, indicating he had regained consciousness.
Following the Mets’ 3-0 loss to the Phillies, interim manager Andy Green told reporters that Jared Young avoided the scariest outcomes
after the terrifying collision.
It was scary, man,
shortstop Francisco Lindor said. It was scary to sit the[re].
Young played 22 games for the Cubs over parts of two seasons
The difference between the Jared Young who played for Andy Green with the Cubs and the one currently playing for him in New York with the Mets is simply opportunity. Green was the bench coach for the Cubs when Young played 22 games for them over parts of two seasons before going to Korea to play in the KBO in 2024. Green recognized what Young was capable of long ago, but he wasn’t in the right place at the right time to be able to take the step he needed to solidify himself in the big leagues. That changed this season with the Mets.
It was on full display Saturday at Citi Field, when Young hit a two-run triple off Houston right-hander Christian Javier in the bottom of the fifth to help the Mets beat the Astros 6-2. This is where talent and character finally ran into opportunity,
Green recently said of Young. It just never has for him.
Young also recently produced a notable performance in Chicago, where he began the day on the bench but ended up producing the biggest Mets hit Sunday. Unfortunately for the team, Young’s ninth-inning RBI single against Grant Taylor that tied the game became a footnote when Tristan Peters smacked a walk-off homer against Kodai Senga in the bottom of the frame. It was just the latest big hit for Young, who has an .871 OPS in August and has provided stability at a position (first base) that was a black hole for the Mets during most of the season’s first half.
He’s always been a good hitter,
Andy Green said following the 2-1 loss to the White Sox. This is the first time he’s gotten any runway in the big leagues, and he’s been really good. Those are the type of at-bats you have been getting. That’s a legit closer that has really good stuff and another big swing from him.
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