CLEVELAND – The Dominican Junior Caminero caused concern this Tuesday when he left the game after receiving a hard hit to the face during the match between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
The incident occurred in the first inning, when the third baseman hit a foul ball that directly impacted his jaw. Despite the obvious pain and the attention of the medical staff, Caminero persisted in the at-bat, finishing with a ground ball against pitcher Tanner Bibee.
After this action, the young player retired to the clubhouse and did not return to the field. The Tampa Bay manager reorganized the defense, with Richie Palacios at third base and Ben Williamson in the infield.
The possible absence of Caminero is a setback for the Rays, as he has established himself as a key element in their offense. After an outstanding 2025 season, where he hit 45 home runs and drove in 110 runs, the player has maintained a good performance at the beginning of 2026, with eight home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .257 average.
Attention focused on Caminero’s condition, whose medical diagnosis is pending. The Rays are awaiting results on the state of his jaw, while uncertainty grows about how long he could be out of action.
