Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero left the All-Star Game after being hit by a 98 mph sinker on his left hand during the third inning. The pitch, thrown by St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien, caused Caminero to fall to the dirt in apparent pain.
American League manager John Schneider quickly substituted Miguel Vargas to run for Caminero and play third base. Caminero was then taken to the clubhouse for X-rays, which ultimately came back negative.
"You are thinking the worst and honestly thought something may have been broken," Caminero said through a translator after the game. "But thank you to God, it´s fine and just a little bit sore. But we´re all good."
Caminero described the pitch as a "sinker on hands that didn´t hit my bat at all." He added, "So look, it was a scary moment. But you know right now, we feel really good."
O'Brien later visited Caminero in the American League clubhouse to apologize. "I told [Riley] I really appreciate the gesture," Caminero said. "He came into the clubhouse, and he took a few seconds to apologize, but I told him it was part of the game. He was really worried, but I told him look, these things happen. We are here to have fun, and we are here to enjoy the night."
The American League went on to win the game 4-0. Vargas hit a solo home run, and teammates Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice also contributed RBIs.
Caminero has been a key player for the Rays this season, hitting 28 home runs in the first half. The Rays currently lead the American League East by three games over the Yankees. They are scheduled to play the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.
Caminero's injury scare drew parallels to the 1993 All-Star Game, where Philadelphia Phillies first baseman John Kruk narrowly avoided being hit in the head by a fastball from Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson. Kruk later described the experience, saying, "At first, I thought all I want to do is make contact, but after the first pitch all I wanted was to live. And I lived. So I had a good at bat."