MLB All-Star Game scare: Junior Caminero hit by 98 mph fastball, exits

The Midsummer Classic is supposed to be a celebration of baseball, but things took a frightening turn for the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night when their star left the field in pain.

Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero got drilled in the left hand with a 98 mph fastball from St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien.

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Caminero ran straight to the AL dugout and was forced out of the game. The 23-year-old crumpled to the ground, clutching his left hand before walking off with trainers. He was replaced on the base paths by pinch-runner Miguel Vargas.

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Fortunately for Tampa Bay, X-rays on Caminero’s left hand came back negative.

Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Davis summed it up: “Everybody’s worst nightmare in an exhibition is that anything like this happens.”

Caminero came into the All-Star break with 28 home runs, tied for fourth in the majors, while helping power the Rays to the top of the AL East.

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Caminero avoided the worst, but the Midsummer Classic came a lot closer to disaster than anyone wanted.

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