Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero left Tuesday's All-Star Game with an injury after being hit in the hand by St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien.
X-rays of Caminero's left hand came back negative, and he's considered day-to-day. He said that he expects to play "both games" of the Rays' doubleheader in Boston on Friday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
#Rays Caminero said to be in good spirits in AL clubhouse and obviously relieved. Was hit on left pinky.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 15, 2026
Caminero fell to the ground after O'Brien's 98-mph sinker veered up and hit his hand. He was tended to in the batter's box by trainers before quickly jogging off the field and into the clubhouse.
Junior Caminero left the game after being hit by this pitch. pic.twitter.com/8NINLibUm6
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 15, 2026
O'Brien went to check on Caminero after the inning, and the two All-Stars shared a hug, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox entered the game as a pinch runner and remained in to play third base.
Caminero was voted as the American League's starting third baseman after hitting .279/.372/.555 with 28 homers and 59 RBIs over 94 games for the AL-best Rays. The 23-year-old was playing in his second straight Midsummer Classic.
