New York Mets first baseman Jared Young was carted off the field and taken to a local hospital following a terrifying collision with starting pitcher Nolan McLean during Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field.
The scary incident occurred in the top of the sixth inning when Justin Crawford hit a grounder toward first base. Both players rushed to field the ball, leading to an accidental impact where McLean’s knee struck Young’s head, knocking him face-down and motionless on the dirt.
Medical evaluation and tests
Medical personnel immediately stabilized Young’s neck before placing him on a backboard and carting him off. In a reassuring gesture to quieted fans, Young gave a thumbs-up as he left the field.
Mets manager Andy Green later confirmed that Young underwent a CT scan at the hospital which came back negative for structural damage.
While he retained full feeling in all extremities, Young is currently suffering from concussion symptoms and remains under evaluation.
Impact on the season
The 31-year-old has been a standout bright spot for the Mets in his first full major league season, batting .266 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs through 103 games.
Although his immediate return timeline remains uncertain due to MLB’s strict concussion protocols, initial test results indicate that the team avoided a far worse outcome. Mark Vientos replaced Young at first base for the remainder of the contest.
