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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Backup catcher Jake Rogers was the longest tenured player in the Detroit Tigers organization — until July 28, when he was designated for assignment in a sudden roster shakeup.
When the Tigers needed to open a spot on their 40- and 26-man rosters for Javier Baez, who was returning from a minor league rehab assignment, Rogers drew the short straw.
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Rogers, 31, was hitting .161 in his sixth season in MLB. With 26-year-old rookie Eduardo Valencia making a fast impression (.417/.462/.917 in his first six major league games) as the backup to starting catcher Dillon Dingler, carrying Rogers as a third catcher became a luxury.
Rogers had played 362 games, all with Detroit, since his 2019 debut.
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"For the leadership, grit and everything you gave this organization, thank you, Jake," the Tigers wrote on their Twitter/X account July 28.
Because he has more than five years of MLB service time, the Tigers cannot outright Rogers to the minor leagues. If he isn't claimed off waivers or traded in the next 10 days, Rogers will become a free agent.
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Rogers is a career .197/.270/.379 hitter. He has 47 home runs and 138 RBIs in his career.
In 2023, Rogers had a breakout campaign as the Tigers finished second in the American League Central — their first step toward relevance after a protracted rebuild. He hit 21 home runs in 107 games, second on the team to Spencer Torkelson, and seized the starting catcher's job over Carson Kelly.
Since then, Rogers settled firmly into a backup role. He was known more for his moustache and everyman physique than his skills on a field.
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As a harbinger of moves to come, it's probably easy to make too much of the Tigers' latest transaction. They're 50-57 through July 27, with one week to go before MLB's annual trade deadline. Their season-long struggles have raised the possibility that ace Tarik Skubal, a pending free agent, will be traded.
The winner of back-to-back Cy Young Awards, Skubal is anticipated to be the best player traded at the deadline — if he switches teams at all. Choosing the rookie Valencia over the veteran Rogers to be Dingler's backup probably would have happened regardless of the standings. It's also a wise place to start if the Tigers plan to emphasize youth over experience before the 2026 season ends.
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