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5d ago

C.B. Bucknor Leaves Brewers–Rays Game After Foul Tip to Mask

The exit capped a week of high-profile overturns under MLB’s new ABS plus expanded replay.

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 31: Jake Bauers #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field on March 31, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Baseball batter hitting a ball that has deflected off the catcher’s glove and is now behind the home plate umpire, Image 2 shows Umpire CB Bucknor (c.) goes down after getting struck in the facemask by a foul tip in the second inning of the Brewers-Rays game on April 1, 2026

Overview

  • Umpire C.B. Bucknor, working the plate Wednesday, left in the second inning after a 100 mph foul tip hit his mask, and Chad Fairchild moved behind the plate as the crew shifted to cover the bases.
  • The injury followed Tuesday’s first-base ruling that called Jake Bauers out for missing the bag, which replay reversed after cameras showed his foot squarely on it.
  • After the reversal, Bauers stole second and scored on Brandon Lockridge’s double as Milwaukee pulled away to a 6-2 win.
  • The ABS challenge system overturned six of Bucknor’s ball-strike calls in Saturday’s Reds–Red Sox game, fueling a burst of public criticism that included a “Something has to be done” post from ex-pitcher Joba Chamberlain.
  • MLB’s new setup uses 12 Hawk-Eye cameras to check pitches on appeal and expanded replay to fix safe/out calls, which is exposing errors in real time and increasing pressure on individual umpires.