PHILADELPHIA — Junior Caminero feared the worst when a 98 mph sinker that didn’t sink struck him in the left hand during the All-Star Game.
For the Tampa Bay Rays slugging third baseman, Caminero considered himself fortunate the hit-by-pitch was more a scare than a season-ender.
“You are thinking the worst and honestly thought something may have been broken,” Caminero said through a translator. “But thank you to God, it’s fine and just a little bit sore. But we’re all good.”
Caminero was struck on the outside of his left hand by St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien with the high hard one in the top of the third inning with the American League up 3-0.
The 23-year-old Caminero, fourth in the major leagues with 28 home runs, stayed down for a few moments before he popped up and ran straight into the clubhouse.
X-rays were negative.
“Sinker on hands that didn’t hit my bat at all,” Caminero said. “So look, it was a scary moment. But you know right now, we feel really good.”
The Rays resume their season with a doubleheader in Boston.
O’Brien, who has 24 saves this season for the Cardinals, checked in with Caminero in the AL clubhouse.
“I told Ryan 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.”
Caminero was replaced by Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox. Vargas hit a solo homer for the American League in the eighth inning for game’s first extra-base hit.
Caminero hit 17 total home runs a night earlier at Citizens Bank Park in the Home Run Derby. He hit 45 home runs with 110 RBIs last season, and this season has led the Rays to the top of the AL East.
He batted fourth and became the first Ray to start an All-Star game in two straight seasons. Caminero grounded out in his first at bat against Phillies’ ace and NL starter Cristopher Sánchez.
Caminero — who advanced to the final round of last season’s Home Run Derby before losing a close contest to Seattle slugger Cal Raleigh — this season become the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six straight games.
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