Mets First Baseman Jared Young Hospitalized After Knee to the Head Collision with Pitcher Nolan McLean

A frightening incident unfolded on the baseball field Thursday night at Citi Field, as New York Mets first baseman Jared Young left the game on a stretcher after a collision. Young sustained a knee to the head from pitcher Nolan McLean during the sixth inning of the Mets' game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The incident occurred when Justin Crawford hit a slow ball toward first base. Both McLean and Young moved to cover the base, and McLean's knee struck Young in the head. Young remained on the ground for approximately five minutes as paramedics attended to him. They immobilized his neck and placed him on a stretcher before taking him off the field. As he departed, Young gave a thumbs-up to the crowd, indicating he was conscious.

Young was hospitalized Thursday night and showed concussion symptoms, though an earlier CT scan came back negative. The Mets ultimately lost the game 3-0. Players Justin Crawford and Francisco Lindor, along with interim manager Andy Green, expressed significant concern over the incident.

This type of on-field collision, while rare, highlights the inherent risks in professional sports. The immediate medical response and the subsequent hospitalization of Young underscore the seriousness of head injuries in baseball.

The Mets organization has not yet released further details on Young's condition or a timeline for his return to play. Ocoee residents who follow baseball will be watching for updates on his recovery.