According to post-game remarks from manager Andy Green, the Mets’ first baseman, Jared Young, “escaped the worst-case scenarios” following a frightening on-field crash with pitcher Nolan McLean in the top of the sixth frame of Thursday evening’s matchup between the Phillies and Mets at Citi Field.
The incident occurred when a softly hit ground ball from Justin Crawford toward first base drew both Young and McLean to the spot, resulting in a dangerous and jarring impact due to a lapse in communication. As the two players rushed to secure the ball, McLean’s knee seemed to connect with Young’s head, knocking the first baseman flat on the turf.
For several minutes, Young remained down on the grass receiving attention from the medical staff before being carefully placed on a stretcher with his head and neck immobilized and wheeled off the field.
The Mets later reported that Young was transported to a local medical facility for additional tests, noting that he retained sensation in all his limbs. Green shared that although the CT scan results showed no structural damage and his motor functions are intact, the infielder is dealing with “genuine symptoms of a concussion.”
Green noted that McLean was visibly rattled by the accident, conceding that, in retrospect, he likely should not have permitted the pitcher to stay in to record the final outs of the frame.
Prior to his current stint, the 31-year-old Young participated in 22 contests with the Cubs from 2022 to 2023, later dividing his 2024 campaign between Triple-A and the KBO in South Korea. Joining the Mets organization ahead of the 2025 season, he performed well at the Triple-A level and earned a short promotion to the big leagues. He has put up solid numbers throughout this campaign, registering a slash line of .266/.330/.429 with 17 doubles, nine homers, 39 RBI, and 46 runs scored across 342 plate appearances. Due to Pete Alonso’s departure on the open market and a long-term injury sidelining free-agent acquisition Jorge Polanco, Young has enjoyed consistent opportunities in the lineup.
In what has otherwise been a highly frustrating year for the franchise, Young has emerged as a bright spot. David Stearns, the president of baseball operations, restructured the squad during the winter following a late-season collapse that cost them a postseason berth in 2025; however, the club stumbled into a 12-game slide in April and dwindled to a 36-53 record by Independence Day, leading to Carlos Mendoza’s dismissal. With temporary manager Andy Green scheduled to return to his front-office role next season, New York faces another busy off-season of roster reconstruction.
