New York Mets first baseman Jared Young was hospitalized after a terrifying sixth-inning collision with pitcher Nolan McLean during Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Young sustained a negative CT scan result, experienced concussion symptoms, and retained full use of his extremities.
The Collision at First Base and On-Field Response
The incident unfolded during the top of the sixth inning when Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford hit a slow roller toward the bag. Confusion over whether Mets starter Nolan McLean or first baseman Jared Young would field the ball led both players to converge on the play.
As Young dove toward the grounder, McLean attempted to jump over his teammate. McLean’s right knee slammed into the side of Young’s head, sending the 31-year-old infielder face-first into the dirt where he lay motionless for several moments.
Mets interim manager Andy Green and athletic trainers rushed from the dugout to assist. Paramedics soon arrived from the outfield, stabilized Young’s neck, and placed him on a backboard and stretcher.
Players across the diamond reacted to the severity of the scene. Teammates gathered around the area while catcher Francisco Alvarez appeared to be praying and Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm took a knee near third base. As medical personnel wheeled Young toward the left-center field fence, he raised his thumb to give a thumbs-up to the Citi Field crowd.
Hospital Diagnosis and Medical Status
Transported to a local hospital for examination, Young underwent imaging that yielded an initial positive indicator for the team. Andy Green reported that Young’s CT scan came back negative.
“Still experiencing real concussion symptoms right now, but has full use of his extremities, and it feels like at this point in time like we’ve avoided the scariest outcomes.”
Andy Green, Mets interim manager, via USA Today
When Young briefly regained consciousness on the field, Green noted that the infielder asked What happened?
but was not able to speak much of substance. Medical evaluations continued into the evening as the team monitored his concussion symptoms.
McLean’s Decision to Pitch and Postgame Emotional Toll
Following the collision, McLean remained on the mound. Assuring Green that he was physically unhurt and capable of finishing the frame, the rookie right-hander froze Garrett Stubbs with a called third strike to record the final out of the sixth inning.
Green acknowledged questioning his own decision to let McLean face another batter after reaching 82 pitches. I think the humanity hit him pretty hard right there,
Green said of McLean after removing him for reliever Tobias Myers at the start of the seventh. Shaken by the incident, McLean declined to speak with media members in a quiet postgame clubhouse.
Roster Impact and Young’s Breakthrough Season
The loss of Young removes a productive bat from the Mets’ lineup. In his first extended major league action, the 31-year-old has batted .266 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs across 103 games, establishing himself as a fixture on the strong side of a first-base platoon after missing six weeks earlier in the year with a left knee injury.
Yet as the Mets dropped the contest 3-0 to the Phillies, statistics and standings took a backseat to teammate well-being.
“Life is bigger than this game, for sure, and seeing him like that — not reacting, and then seeing the trainer holding his neck — it’s scary. It was a scary moment. You can only think about how quick life can get out of your hands.”
Francisco Lindor, Mets shortstop, via MLB.com