A Triple-A showdown between Mets and Blue Jays affiliates on Friday night took a frightening turn when Buffalo catcher Payton Henry took a swing 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 went downstairs, face up, while he was quickly helped.
Bison coach Casey Candaele was the first to help – then gave the signal to get the medical staff onto the diamond.
Meanwhile, Henry’s teammates waited in the infield, looking concerned as they got down on one knee.
Buffalo Bisons catcher Payton Henry was clipped with a swing to the head against Syracuse
The team later shared that Henry was “alert and responsive” after being carted off the field
Shortly afterwards, Henry was carted off the field. Moments later, the game ended 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 referees and the league that the game is being canceled at this time, it’s a complete game,” Smorol said. “We end at this point and our thoughts and prayers go out to Payton Henry as he is currently on his way to the hospital.”
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 Bisons later said Henry is “alert and responsive” after receiving help at a local hospital in Central New York.
“Payton Henry was taken to a Syracuse area hospital where he is being evaluated. Payton is currently alert and responding appropriately. We will share any further information as it becomes available.”
