MLB
Junior Caminero Expected Back for Game 5 Despite Foot Injury
Caminero left Game 4’s decisive rally with a left-foot injury but is expected to play as Tampa Bay tries to extend the World Series again.
Junior Caminero is expected to return to Tampa Bay’s lineup for World Series Game 5 despite leaving Tuesday’s decisive rally with a left-foot injury. The Rays third baseman and manager Kevin Cash indicated afterward that they expected him to play Wednesday as Tampa Bay tries to avoid elimination again.
MLB.com’s injury update said Caminero appeared uncomfortable after reaching first base on a throwing error to begin the bottom of the 12th inning. He stayed in long enough to advance to third on Liam Hicks’ single before Cedric Mullins replaced him as a pinch-runner.
Mullins scored the tying run on Jonny DeLuca’s single. Chandler Simpson followed with another hit, and Ben Williamson delivered the winning single in Tampa Bay’s 4–3 victory. Caminero’s effort on the bases helped begin a sequence that kept the Rays’ season alive even though he could not remain in the game.
The Associated Press report carried by Spectrum News said Caminero did not disclose the full extent of the injury. His determination to play should therefore be reported as his stated intention, rather than treated as a diagnosis or proof that the foot is unaffected.
Caminero played all 162 regular-season games and supplied 42 home runs and 101 RBIs. Those totals show why his availability matters to a Tampa Bay offense that has faced a difficult World Series against Milwaukee’s pitching staff.
The Rays still trail the series 3–1. Wednesday’s game at Tropicana Field is another elimination contest, with Milwaukee preparing to start Jacob Misiorowski. Tampa Bay must win to send the series back to Wisconsin for Game 6.
Cash explained after Game 4 that the club waited until Caminero reached scoring position before using its pinch-runner. The choice reflected both the importance of adding speed for a possible scoring play and the limited remaining bench options during a lengthy extra-inning game.
The immediate expectation is encouraging for Tampa Bay, but the posted lineup and any subsequent medical update will provide the stronger confirmation. Until then, Caminero’s anticipated return is a significant development for a team whose next loss would end its championship pursuit.
