It’s the kind of news Detroit Tigers fans were hoping to avoid.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch gave a tough update this morning, estimating that catcher Jake Rogers will likely be out “at least a month” as he deals with a left oblique strain — not just a short stint on the injured list, after all.
Not Just Any Catcher
This isn’t just about losing a bat or filling a roster spot. Rogers is one of the top defensive catchers in baseball, and his absence hits especially hard when you consider who he usually pairs up with — none other than reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
Rogers has become Skubal’s personal catcher, and their chemistry has been key to the ace’s dominance on the mound. Losing that connection, even temporarily, is less than ideal as the Tigers aim to stay competitive in a tightly packed AL Central.
The Impact on Detroit’s Catching Depth
Rogers, who had appeared in six of the first ten games of the 2025 season, was scratched just an hour before Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. At the time, the team hoped it might just be a minor tweak. But with oblique injuries, recovery timelines are tricky — and Hinch made it clear: this is not something to rush.
In Rogers’ place, Dillon Dingler stepped into the starting role, and the Tigers called up veteran catcher Tomás Nido from Triple-A Toledo. Nido brings some MLB experience to the backup spot, but the Tigers will definitely miss the leadership and glove work Rogers provides behind the plate.
Tough Timing
Before the injury, Rogers was batting .222 with a .697 OPS, showing some early-season promise with three walks and two runs scored in Monday’s win. Now, his momentum is halted — and the Tigers are left to piece things together behind the dish while he rehabs.
As for Rogers, fans can only hope for a speedy and smooth recovery. Obliques can be nagging, and one wrong move can set a player back. The Tigers are going to play this one smart.
