Mets' Jared Young discharged from hospital, sidelined for season with concussion

NEW YORK — Andy Green spent all of Thursday night thinking about the time Jared Young was demoted from the Chicago Cubs to Triple-A on the final day of the minor league season.

Luckily, the current Mets first baseman/left fielder was discharged from the hospital overnight, is able to walk and has full feeling in all of his extremities.

It's the best news the Mets could have hoped for, especially since there doesn't appear to be any injury to his neck. But Green said his status is about as good as the Mets could have expected.

"There is some short-term memory loss from how hard he got hit yesterday; he kind of remembered what happened on the field, and he's got a pretty bad headache, which would be anticipated as well," the interim skipper said Friday at Citi Field. "We'll have more tests over the next few days to really understand all of that he is dealing with, but everything we have heard has been really optimistic from a recovery standpoint."

It's not the first time Green has seen Young's season end prematurely. In 2022, as Young's bench coach with the Cubs, he was there when the club delivered news they were optioning him to Triple-A Iowa. With only one game left, he was told he could go home to Kelowna, British Columbia, where he lives in the offseason. Young wasn't ready to end his season, so instead of returning to one of the most beautiful places in North America, he drove to Des Moines, Iowa.

No disrespect to Iowa, but it's certainly not as picturesque as Kelowna.

Young texted the Triple-A manager on his way out of Wrigley Field, asking to be put in the lineup that night. Instead of his season ending on a negative note by heading home early, it ended with a walk-off home run.

"It's just indicative of the type of person he is," Green said. "How much he loves being on the baseball field."

Young was discharged from the hospital overnight, then sent for more tests Friday. Ronny Mauricio was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday afternoon to take his spot on the roster. The Mets plan to use Mark Vientos , Brett Baty and Christopher Morel at first base over their final nine games of the season. While it's an unfortunate end to a breakout season for Young, the important thing is that he's healthy and will be able to play again.

At 31, Young finally had his breakout season, playing in a career-high 103 games, mostly at first base. Young had a strong start at the plate, and April meniscus surgery did nothing to slow him down. Once healthy, he picked up right where he left off, consistently putting the ball in play and overtaking Baty and Vientos at first base.

Young hit .266 with a .759 OPS, nine home runs, 17 doubles, three triples and three stolen bases this season. He also made a strong case to be the Mets' everyday first baseman next season with -1 Outs Above Average. For most of the season, Young was a plus defender, and the Mets saw tremendous improvements at the position.

In the clubhouse, he's well-liked and well-respected for his work ethic. Young has spent most of his career in the minor leagues and had a short stint playing in Korea as well. Typically, players like him don't blossom in their 30s, but he's been an exception.

"He's just a great guy who had a great season and exceeded a lot of people's expectations, [but] I don't think he exceeded mine at all," Green said. "Having had a lot of time with him through the years, I believed all of this was possible, and even more. But for him, I know it's a disappointing way to kind of miss out on the last 10 days here."

The clubhouse was somewhat somber Friday afternoon, with players still feeling shaken up after witnessing one of the scariest collisions many had ever seen on a baseball field. Young dove to field a ball as McLean ran to cover first base and took a knee to the side of his head. He was carted off the field, providing some reassurance to the fans with a thumbs-up while on the stretcher.

Even Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper acknowledged Young in his postgame interview on Fox, starting with well wishes for Young.

Green was more upbeat after conversing with Young throughout the day. Young joked with Green, and the manager took solace in his sense of humor still being intact. It's an immense relief for the Mets, and for Young's family and friends.