X-Rays negative after Junior Caminero is hit by pitch during All-Star Game

One day after putting on a show in the Home Run Derby, Rays star third baseman Junior Caminero was in the starting lineup for the American League in the All-Star Game.

During the third inning, Caminero was facing Cardinals All-Star Riley O’Brien. With the count 1-0, O’Brien uncorked a 98mph pitch that ran up and in on Caminero, drilling the prolific power hitter’s pinky finger. Caminero instantly went down to the ground in the pain and remained there for several moments before jumping up and rushing off the field to seek treatment in the clubhouse.

X-Rays were quickly performed on Caminero and fortunately they came back negatitive for any damage. Caminero is now considered day-to-day but believes he’ll be able to play in Friday’s double-header against the Boston Red Sox when the Rays’ schedule resumes following the All-Star break.

Caminero expressed that obviously bring hit by the pitch hurt but he was more scared than anything else.

“Yeah, in the moment I was just scared, right. Kind of in that situation, right there in the moment, you’re thinking the worst, and I honestly thought something might have been broken. But look, thank you to God that everything’s fine, and now it’s just a little bit sore, but we’re all good.”

This was Caminero’s second straight All-Star game appearance and first time starting. He is having another fantastic campaign following up his 2025 breakout year.

Thus far over 94 games in 2026, Caminero is hitting .279/.372/.555 with 28 HR over 411 PA, registering a 152 wRC+ and has accrued 3.2 fWAR.