During a lively Midsummer Classic, Rays star third baseman Junior Caminero experienced a frightening moment when he was hit on the hand by a 98-mph rising fastball in the third inning. The pitch, thrown by Cardinals right-hander Riley O’Brien, appeared to miss its target and placement in the strike zone, which seemed to unsettle Caminero.
The 23-year-old slugger collapsed immediately after being hit by the pitch, prompting medical staff to rush to the plate to treat his injured hand. Soon after, Caminero got up and left the game for further scans and diagnosis. Fans reacted to this viral moment from the All-Star Game, with many expressing shock at such a pitch in an exhibition game.
The AL All-Stars took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to Yankees players Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice driving in important runs against Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez. Throughout the game, the NL All-Stars only managed three hits and did not score.
White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas capped an impressive night with a solo home run in the eighth, securing a 4-0 shutout win for the AL All-Stars over the NL team at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night.
Junior Caminero’s Preliminary X-Rays Negative for Fracture
Caminero had X-rays taken with a doctor from the Phillies medical staff, as reported by The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. Sometime after the incident, The Fox broadcast reported that the X-rays showed no preliminary cause for concern.
Just turned 23 last week, Caminero is a key player for the TB Rays, who lead the AL East by three games over the Yankees. On Monday night, he competed in the Home Run Derby but was eliminated in the semifinals by Jordan Walker of the Cardinals, who went on to win.
A two-time All-Star, Caminero has appeared in every Rays game this season, underscoring his consistency and importance to the team.
Also read:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball
