The Tampa Bay Rays are dealing with an injury concern after a key player exited the MLB All-Star Game.
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Third baseman Junior Caminero took a 98-mph fastball to the hand from Riley O'Brien during the third inning. He immediately dropped his bat and lost his helmet while falling to the ground.
He remained there for a significant amount of time before getting up and jogging back to the dugout. The Rays had X-rays done on Caminero's left pinkie finger, but they came back clear.
Junior Caminero exits the MLB All-Star Game after taking a 98 fastball from Riley O'Brien on the hand.
"Everybody's worst nightmare in an exhibition is that anything like this happens." - Joe Davis on the Fox broadcast pic.twitter.com/6rCPVZaAYJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 15, 2026
The third baseman is now considered day-to-day as the MLB team prepares for the back half of the season. However, he expressed confidence that he will be able to suit up for Friday's doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
"A 98 mile-per-hour sinker on the hands, and it didn't hit my bat at all," Caminero said through his interpreter. "So look, it was a scary moment, but right now we feel really good, and we're going to keep moving forward."
O'Brien did not let the moment go by without expressing concerns. He went into the clubhouse after the All-Star Game to check in on Caminero. He said that the last thing he wants to do is hurt someone in an exhibition game.
"Yeah, look, with O'Brien, I really appreciate the gesture," Caminero said, per the Rays website. "He came into the clubhouse to apologize, but I told him, 'No, it's part of the game.'
"He was really worried, but I told him, 'Look, these things happen. We're here to have fun. We're here to enjoy the night.' And yeah, we caught up and we both felt really good that...everything's okay."
Caminero has appeared in 94 games for the Rays this season. He has delivered 99 hits, 28 home runs, and 59 RBIs for the team. He has scored 61 runs and stolen two bases.
