A Triple-A matchup between the Mets and Blue Jays affiliates on Friday night took a scary turn when Buffalo catcher Payton Henry took a hit to the head.
The host Syracuse Mets were batting in the bottom of the seventh inning when the terrifying incident silenced the crowd at NBT Bank Stadium.
Third baseman Pablo Reyes took a big cut and his backswing hit the Bisons catcher on the left side of his head. Henry immediately fell, looking up as he was quickly helped.
Bisons coach Casey Candaele was the first to help; He then signaled for medical personnel to be brought to the diamond.
Meanwhile, Henry’s companions waited in the painting and looked worried as they knelt.
Buffalo Bisons receiver Payton Henry hit with a blow to the head against Syracuse
The team later shared that Henry was “alert and responsive” after he was carted off the field.
Shortly after, Henry was carried off the field. Moments later, the game concluded after seven innings, as decided by umpires and league officials.
After a conference with officials, Syracuse general manager Jason Smorol took the microphone to address the crowd about the shortened game.
“I just got word from the refs and the league, the game is going to be canceled right now, it’s a full game,” Smorol said. “We will end at this point, and our thoughts and prayers will be with Payton Henry, as he is on his way to the hospital at this time.”
Henry is in his first year with the Blue Jays organization and is hitting .244 with three home runs and a .704 OPS this year. He was 0-3 against the Mets before the accident.
The Bison later shared that Henry is “alert and responsive” after receiving help at a local hospital in central New York.
‘Payton Henry has been transported to a Syracuse area hospital where he is being evaluated. Payton is currently alert and responding appropriately. We will share any additional information as it becomes available.”