Right knee strain forces Young from Mets' tilt

NEW YORK -- Eric Young Jr. left Thursday's 7-4 win over the Braves in the top of the fourth inning with a right knee strain. Andrew Brown replaced Young, who finished 1-for-2, in left field and atop the order.

Before Thursday's game, Mets manager Terry Collins said that Young did tweak his own leg Wednesday during the bang-bang play in the eighth inning at first base that left starting pitcher Tim Hudson with a fractured ankle.

"Obviously, my adrenaline was still kind of high yesterday and I didn't really experience anything until late last night, early this morning," Young said. "We played it safe today -- didn't want to push it, because obviously they know I run hard on every play. So I guess [I came out of the game] more so for my own good. Just let it rest and see where we are tomorrow."

Young felt discomfort in the lower part of his knee and side of his leg when he arrived at Citi Field on Thursday, but he decided that he still wanted to give it a go. He legged out an infield single in the third inning and scored from third base on a single by outfielder Marlon Byrd, but Young said he "just wasn't moving like I know I could."

Young told Collins that he was having a tough time putting weight on his leg, so the manager replaced him with Brown.

"I took him out just to make sure it's checked, there's no damage," Collins said, "but hopefully 24 hours, he's ready to go."

Young underwent precautionary X-rays, which came back negative. A doctor came to check him out, but he has no swelling and didn't need to undergo an MRI.

The outfielder said he's not too concerned about the injury and he will take things day by day. His goal is to play in at least one game of Friday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

"You have discomfort in the legs at all times, but my speed and legs are the biggest part of my game," Young said. "We didn't want to push it today where we make it worse than it needs to be."