Jared Young health status: A brutal collision knocks the Mets player out, alarming fans
Young raised his thumb to the crowd after being struck by teammate Nolan McLean’s knee
A seemingly harmless ground ball brought Thursday night’s Mets -Phillies game to an abrupt halt when Jared Young collided with teammate Nolan McLean and remained face-down on the field for several agonizing moments.
The frightening play unfolded in the top of the sixth inning at Citi Field. Philadelphia’s Justin Crawford rolled a slow grounder up the first-base line, drawing both Young and McLean toward the ball.
Young dove in an attempt to make the play as McLean tried to leap over him. McLean ’s knee appeared to catch Young on the side of the head, sending the first baseman hard into the dirt. Young didn't immediately move.
Players from both clubs gathered nearby as Mets medical personnel rushed onto the field and began treating the 31-year-old. Trainers appeared to stabilize his neck before preparing him to be moved.
Rosenthal offers encouraging update
The game was being broadcast nationally by Fox, with reporter Ken Rosenthal positioned close to the action. As medical staff continued working on Young , Rosenthal relayed the first reassuring signs.
“Obviously a terrible scene here,” Rosenthal said. “But it appears he is speaking. It appears he's got movement on his limbs. You can see right there.”
Young was eventually secured onto a stretcher and taken toward a cart. The crowd responded with a standing ovation, and Young offered one encouraging gesture of his own by raising his thumb as he was taken away from the field.
“They're going to carry him off and take him off on a cart,” Rosenthal said. “Hopefully, Jared Young is okay.”
Mark Vientos replaced Young at first base when play resumed.
The Mets hadn't immediately issued a detailed medical update following the incident. Given the nature of the collision, Young was expected to undergo further evaluation for possible head and neck injuries.
The most encouraging information came from Rosenthal ’s field-level report that Young appeared to be speaking and moving his limbs before leaving the field.
Young has been part of New York’s first-base mix this season and had recently contributed offensively, including a double in the Mets ’ game against Baltimore earlier in the week.
None of that mattered in the immediate aftermath of Thursday’s collision. The sight of Young lying motionless shifted the mood inside Citi Field instantly, and the reaction from both teams reflected the seriousness of the moment.
Until the Mets provide a formal diagnosis, the full extent of Young ’s injury remains unclear. The strongest positive sign came as he raised his thumb toward the crowd after one of the most frightening plays of the Mets ’ season.
