St. Petersburg, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays entered the American League Championship Series with a scare that could have turned into a setback, but manager Kevin Cash confirmed third baseman Junior “Cammy” Caminero is fine after a collision with outfielder Jonny DeLuca in the ninth inning of Game 1.
Collision and immediate assessment
With the Rays trailing the Cleveland Guardians 7-3, Caminero attempted an over‑the‑shoulder catch of a foul pop from Brayan Rocchio. His left shoulder struck DeLuca as the outfielder hit the ground, sending both players sliding toward the left‑field fence. Trainers rushed to Caminero, but he stayed in the game and finished 1‑for‑4 with a run and an RBI.
Cash’s post‑game reassurance
“He’s OK,” Cash said after the game. “I think he got the wind knocked out of him a little bit. I actually didn’t even notice that he went down. I was looking at DeLuca. He popped up pretty quick and I didn’t realize that Cammy had fallen down a couple feet behind him. But I think he just got the wind knocked out of him, and he seems to be totally fine now.”
Impact on the series
The loss in Game 1 puts the Guardians up 1‑0, but the Rays remain confident. Caminero, now 23, is a two‑time All‑Star and a leading candidate for league MVP after hitting 87 homers in his first two full seasons. His presence in the lineup is a cornerstone of Tampa Bay’s push for its first World Series title.
Yandy Díaz’s milestone
Alongside Caminero, veteran designated hitter Yandy Díaz celebrated a personal milestone, moving past Evan Longoria for the most postseason appearances in franchise history. “I think that means one thing, it means I’m getting old,” Díaz joked, adding he is “really happy” and grateful for the organization that gave him his start in Cleveland before a 2018 three‑way trade sent him to Tampa Bay.
Díaz, 35, led the American League with a career‑high 180 hits, batting .291 with an .812 OPS. He went 2‑for‑5 with a double and a run in the opening game.
Roster moves for the ALCS
The Rays also made a roster adjustment, dropping left‑handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger and adding highly touted prospect Brody Hopkins, whose fastball tops 100 mph. Hopkins, 24, debuted in September and impressed with his command in recent scrimmages, earning a spot on the ALCS roster.
Cleveland added right‑handed pitcher Slade Cecconi to bolster its bullpen, replacing outfielder/infielder Daniel Schneemann. Cecconi posted a 4.91 ERA over 28 games (21 starts) during the regular season.
Looking ahead
Game 2 will test the Rays’ resilience as they seek to even the series. With key players healthy and the front office’s shrewd moves paying off, Tampa Bay fans have reason to stay optimistic despite the early deficit.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
