Umpire CB Bucknor faced criticism for poor calls throughout the week due to MLB’s ABS system.

CB Buckner’s Challenging Start to the MLB Season

CB Buckner has faced a difficult beginning to the 2026 MLB season.

During Saturday’s game featuring the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox, he had eight of his ball-and-strike decisions challenged due to MLB’s new ABS challenge system.

Remarkably, six of those calls were overturned. This included a significant strike three called in the bottom of the sixth that would have ended the inning, but after a challenge from Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suarez, the pitch was instead ruled a ball.

Things didn’t improve on the very next pitch, where Buckner called three additional strikes, all of which Suarez also appealed. In a rather exasperating moment for Buckner, the verdict once again contradicted his original calls.

Two pitches, and two calls overturned—it makes for quite the spectacle when 40,000 fans cheer in reaction to your missteps.

According to referee scorecards, Buckner indeed struggled throughout the game.

Meanwhile, Boston’s manager, Alex Cora, was ejected early on Saturday. He argued that Buckner’s decision regarding a swing check relied too heavily on his direct view rather than that of the first base umpire.

“He’s got one job. It wasn’t his best day,” Cora commented about Buckner post-game.

In total, on this day, Cincinnati won all five of their challenges while Boston secured just one out of three.

On Tuesday evening, Buckner was at first base during the showdown between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. While the Brewers were ahead 4-2 in the sixth inning, Jake Bowers hit a sharp grounder to right field, landing what seemed like an infield hit.

However, Buckner stopped Bowers, claiming he hadn’t touched first base.

You might think you wouldn’t need glasses to make that sort of call.

But replays reversed Buckner’s decision, and Bowers ultimately scored on a double later in that inning. After the Brewers’ victory, Bowers downplayed the earlier call, stating, “I don’t know what happened. I’m just thankful I got on base and was able to score.”