Umpire CB Bucknor leaves Brewers-Rays game after taking foul ball to facemask
Umpire CB Bucknor left the April 1 game between the Brewers and Rays after taking a foul ball off his mask.
Home-plate umpire CB Bucknor was removed from the April 1 game at American Family Field in Milwaukee after taking a foul ball straight off the facemask in the second inning. Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski was looking for his third strikeout of the inning, facing Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nick Fortes , but Fortes was able to get a piece of a 100-mph fastball straight into Bucknor's facemask. Bucknor, 63, stayed on the ground for a few moments with Brewers trainers, then was led off the field.
After a 13-minute delay, first-base umpire Chad Fairchild took Bucknor's place behind the dish. Bucknor was umpiring first base one night earlier when he ruled Jake Bauers had missed first base on a single, though replay showed Bauers clearly struck the base. Misirorowski struck out four of the first five batters he faced, but after the delay, Fortes singled for the Rays' first baserunner of the game, and Chandler Simpson drew a walk.
Ben Williamson then grounded out to end the second. CB Bucknor took a foul ball to the mask and was in visible pain. He left today’s game as he may have a concussion.
pic. twitter. com/YHuluPblER — js9innings (@js9inningsmedia) April 1, 2026 This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Umpire Bucknor leaves Brewers game after taking foul ball to facemask