In a tense moment at American Family Field, veteran MLB umpire C.B. Bucknor was forced to exit the Tampa Bay Rays' matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers after a fastball struck him square in the mask. Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski unleashed a 100.2 MPH heater, which Rays catcher Nick Fortes fouled off, inadvertently sending the ball crashing into Bucknor’s protective gear.
Bucknor, a seasoned umpire with three decades of experience, left the game and was replaced by first base umpire Chad Fairchild, leaving the crew to continue with three umpires. This incident echoes a similar situation just days earlier when umpire Ryan Blakney took a foul ball to the mask during the Blue Jays-Athletics game but managed to finish despite a cheek injury.
The 2026 season is a landmark for Bucknor, marking 30 years since his MLB debut. Over his illustrious career, he’s officiated two All-Star games, five Division Series, and a Wild Card Series.
Despite previous minor injuries in 2012 and 2013, Bucknor's resilience has been a hallmark of his tenure. Fans and colleagues alike are hopeful for his swift recovery.
On the field, the Brewers capitalized on their home advantage, securing an 8-2 victory and clinching the series. Their strong start to the season sees them at 5-1, with a brief pause before they head to Kansas City for their next series. Meanwhile, the Rays, now 2-4, continue their nine-game road stretch with a series against the Minnesota Twins, before finally returning home to face the Cubs.