During the top of the sixth inning in Thursday night’s Phillies vs. Mets game at Citi Field, Mets first baseman Jared Young was involved in a frightening collision with pitcher Nolan McLean, according to Mets manager Andy Green. The incident occurred when a soft ground ball from Justin Crawford led to a miscommunication between Young and McLean, resulting in a harsh crash where McLean’s knee hit Young’s head, knocking him to the ground.
Young remained on the field for an extended time while receiving medical attention and was eventually taken off on a stretcher with his head and neck carefully stabilized. Though Young was transported to the hospital for further tests, he retained feeling in all his limbs. Manager Green confirmed that Young’s CT scan was clear and that he can move normally, but the first baseman is showing significant concussion symptoms.
McLean was visibly shaken by the collision, with Green admitting he likely should not have kept the pitcher in the game after the incident. Jared Young, now 31, had brief stints with the Cubs in 2022-23 and split the 2024 season playing between South Korea’s KBO and Triple-A in the U.S. The Mets signed him for the 2025 season, where he performed well in Triple-A and has had a productive run in the majors with a .266 average, 17 doubles, nine homers, 39 RBIs, and 46 runs scored in 342 plate appearances. With Pete Alonso leaving via free agency and Jorge Polanco spending significant time on the injured list, Young has become a regular starter.
Despite a rough season overall for the Mets, Young has been a bright spot. After a disappointing 2024 finish and missing the playoffs, the team retooled the roster in the offseason but then suffered a 12-game losing streak in April, leading to a 36-53 record by July 4 and the firing of manager Carlos Mendoza. Interim manager Andy Green will return to the front office next year as the Mets continue to rebuild their roster during the upcoming offseason.
Fan Take: This incident underscores the physical risks players face on the field and the importance of player safety protocols in baseball. Jared Young’s journey and recent performance highlight how unexpected contributors can emerge to shape a team’s season, making the sport full of surprises even during challenging years.
Source: www.cbssports.com
