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Umpire C.B. Bucknor leaves Rays-Brewers game after foul tip strikes him in his face mask

On Wednesday, home-plate umpire C.B. Bucknor left the Tampa Bay Rays game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field after a foul ball struck his face mask during the second inning.
Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski threw a 100.2-mph fastball that Rays catcher Nick Fortes fouled directly into Bucknor's mask, forcing the 63-year-old umpire to receive field attention from trainers.
After a 13-minute delay, first-base umpire Chad Fairchild assumed plate duties as Jeremy Rehak and Dan Iassogna shifted positions, allowing the game to continue with a three-man crew.
Bucknor, now in his 27th season, has been a central figure early in the 2026 MLB season, frequently involved with the new ABS challenge system.
Tuesday's game featured a disputed call where Bucknor ruled that Brewers player Jake Bauers missed first base, though the call was later overturned on replay.

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