Tigers' brutal Jake Rogers injury update creates opportunity for new star catcher to emerge

The Detroit Tigers have been one of the hottest teams in baseball of late, winning seven of their last 10 games despite entering the season with an injury-depleted lineup.

Unfortunately, the list of injured Tigers players grew longer on Wednesday when manager A.J. Hinch revealed that yet another key member of the lineup – catcher Jake Rogers – would be sidelined for a significant period of time.

Rogers was originally scratched from the lineup with discomfort in his side that flared up while he was taking swings in the batting cage just ahead of Game 2 of the Tigers' series against the Yankees. Per Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, Hinch shared the following day that Rogers had undergone an MRI that revealed a strain in his left oblique that is expected to sideline him for at least a month.

With Rogers hitting the injured list, the Tigers have selected the contract of veteran backstop Tomas Nido from Triple-A Toledo to share catching duties with Dillon Dingler. Dingler, however, figures to get the bulk of the playing time in Rogers' absence – and the Tigers are hopeful that he will make the most of the opportunity.

Tigers' brutal Jake Rogers injury update creates opportunity for new star catcher to emerge in Dillon Dingler

Increased playing time means more consistent at-bats for Dingler, which will hopefully allow him to build on what has been an encouraging start to the season at the plate.

Dingler struggled at the plate in his first taste of Major League action after making his debut late last season, slashing .167/.195/.310 in 84 at-bats. However, the 26-year-old has slashed .346/.370/.692 with two home runs and seven RBI in 27 trips to the plate through eight games in 2025. It's a small sample size, but Dingler will get the opportunity to prove with more regular at-bats that his hot start isn't just fool's gold.

Dingler appears to have risen to the challenge defensively as well, earning praise from reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal after his most recent start – his first start without Rogers since 2023. If Dingler can continue to build on his confidence and seize his opportunities in Rogers' absence, he can establish himself as a regular in the Tigers' lineup even after Rogers returns.

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