It’s been all about MLB’s veteran umpire CB Bucknor through this week. Starting from his check swing against Trevor Story to ruling Jake Bauers out despite touching the base, Bucknor is under constant scrutiny from the fans and insiders. And again tonight, he made headlines, not for his botched calls, but for something more concerning. In the ongoing Brewers-Rays game, Bucknor was forced to leave the field after taking a blow to the head.

“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,” js9innings shared via X.

Bucknor was officiating as the home plate umpire in the series finale between the Rays and Brewers. In the second, Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski was pitching, and Nick Fortes was at the plate with two strikes. Fortes fouled a 100 mph fireball off Misiorowski that hit Bucknor’s mask directly. The impact was so fast and heavy that Bucknor fell the moment he was hit.

Trainers also came running in, and the Brewers’ catcher was seen checking on him. However, soon he was taken off the field for concussion protocol, and Chad Fairchild took over behind home plate. Now, while we wait for further updates on Bucknor, it is almost certain he is not coming back tonight. Further reports will indicate whether Bucknor will miss more games.

The hit visibly looks painful, and it would surely take some time for him to recover. And guess what, this just adds another breaking story around CB Bucknor this week.

He first grabbed the headlines this year when he called a check swing to Trevor Story without consulting with the first base umpire. While Story and Alex Cora had a few words, and the replay showed Story didn’t swing, Bucknor stayed firm and even ejected Cora. Then, in the previous Brewers-Rays game, Bucknor ruled Bauers out even though he touched first base comfortably, and the ball was miles apart.

So, just as the fans’ wrath was skyrocketing against Bucknor, his concussion would surely calm down the situation a bit. Hopefully, he would return to the field soon.

CB Bucknor is the latest addition to the list of umpire injuries in MLB

While baseball umpires, especially at home plate, have adequate safety gear like head masks and body covers, they are still vulnerable behind the catcher.

Same as Bucknor, umpire Hunter Wendelstedt faced injury from a foul drive last year. That was a major scare as he was hit in the head by a 94.7 mph foul line drive. That too, while positioned at first base without a helmet. Reportedly, in the top of the seventh inning, a foul ball hit by Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor struck Wendelstedt in the side of the head, just above his left ear.

However, after the game, it was reported that Wendelstedt was fine. He did not suffer any permanent injuries from the blow.

We have more fatal instances as well. During a 1969 game, umpire Cal Drummond was struck in the head with a foul ball. While he initially seemed fine, he even attempted a comeback in the minor leagues. He collapsed and passed away later due to complications from the head trauma.

So, despite all the criticisms the umpires face due to their calls, they are facing one of the toughest jobs in the game. Standing at one of the most vulnerable zones and still focusing on the play for an accurate decision takes a lot. Bucknor is the latest example of that.