The 96th All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park was supposed to be all about joy and festivities, but it took a turn in the third inning. The sound of the hit-by-pitch was picked up by FOX’s microphones, and that alone was enough for the baseball community to grasp the force of the impact on the Rays’ young star. Soon enough, Junior Caminero left the game.

The AL team led 3-0, and Caminero was at the plate at the top of the third inning. Riley O’Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals threw a 98-mph sinker that immediately sent the batter to the ground. The way Caminero’s helmet flew off caused the entire stadium to panic. However, when the camera angle changed, it appeared he was clutching his left hand.

“Junior Caminero left the game after being hit by this pitch,” Foul Territory captioned the short clip on X. 

After lying on the ground with a look of immense pain on his face, the 23-year-old Tampa Bay Rays third baseman, who made his second consecutive All-Star appearance this year, finally found the strength to get back on his feet.

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But it was not enough to carry on at the plate. He walked towards the dugout and exited through the tunnel. Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas replaced him.

“Everybody’s worst nightmare in an exhibition is that anything like this happens,” FOX’s play-by-play announcer Joe Davis noted. 

Junior Caminero is in his fourth season with the Rays, and he has been phenomenal this year.

He is batting at .279 with a .927 OPS. He has already managed 61 runs, including 28 homers in 94 appearances. He has been one of the biggest contributors to the team that helped Tampa Bay finish the first half 4.0 games ahead of the New York Yankees and in first place in the AL East.

Losing him at this point would be a huge blow for the Rays. 

Caminero also participated in the Home Run Derby on Monday. He delivered a stellar performance with 12 HRs in Round 1 and then advanced to the semis. Unfortunately, he managed only 5, and Jordan Walker, the Cardinals’ slugger, eliminated him with 6 homers. Playing against the loud boos from the Philadelphia crowd, Walker ultimately won the title. 

Not gonna lie, one aspect is quite ironic in this entire ASG event.

On Monday, Caminero was eliminated by a Cardinals batter, and on Tuesday, the hit by pitch came from a Cardinals pitcher.

After the scary scene of him on the ground emerged, ESPN reporter Enrique Rojas tweeted that Junior Caminero was not in as bad shape as we feared. He even noted, “I’m fine” before walking down the tunnel. 

The youngster had an X-ray, which came back negative, per Fox’s Tom Verducci. 

The Rays will kick off the second half against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. And the franchise will pray for Junior Caminero’s quick return to the field.