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Yankees’ Pirela crashes into wall, carted off field

New York Yankees center fielder Jose Pirela crashes into the wall as he chases a ball hit for an inside-the-park home run hit by New York Mets' Juan Lagares in the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game Sunday, March 22, 2015, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Pirela was taken from the field on a golf cart and left the stadium in an ambulance. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) New York Yankees center fielder Jose Pirela crashes into the wall as he chases a ball hit for an inside-the-park home run hit by New York Mets' Juan Lagares in the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game Sunday, March 22, 2015, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Pirela was taken from the field on a golf cart and left the stadium in an ambulance. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By Associated Press March 22, 2015 1 min read

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) – New York Yankees prospect Jose Pirela was taken to a hospital after crashing into the center field wall on a play in the first inning that ended up an inside-the-park home run for the Mets’ Juan Lagares.

Lagares’ drive off CC Sabathia – the left-hander’s third pitch of the game Sunday – was just out of Pirela’s reach on the warning track. The center fielder’s momentum carried him into the wall, where he appeared to crash face first. Pirela then fell and hit the back of his head on the track. He tried sitting up but went onto his back.

With manager Joe Girardi looking on, a Yankees trainer examined Pirela, a versatile 25 year old who has played several positions this spring. Pirela was able to walk and was helped into a golf cart.

He was taken by ambulance from the Mets’ complex.