Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers puts team first after shifting to backup role

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2 days ago

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jake Rogers used to be the Detroit Tigers' No. 1 catcher.
Now, he's their No. 2.
The Tigers recently flipped their catching depth chart, elevating Dillon Dingler into the starting role. As Dingler emerged as one of MLB's best catchers, both offensively and defensively, Rogers shifted into the backup role.
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"We got another great catcher," Rogers said Wednesday, May 28. "It's tough. I'm used to playing a lot, but that's just not my role anymore. I know my role. I'm going to be here for him with whatever he needs, and whenever they want me to play, I'm going to be ready."
Rogers isn't bitter. He's bought in.
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Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) looks on during an at bat in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
"As long as we're winning, I love it," Rogers said.
The numbers don't lie.
Dingler, 26, is hitting .289 with four home runs, two walks and 42 strikeouts in 41 games. He's also been worth plus-6 defensive runs saved in 342⅓ innings behind the plate. His offense ranks sixth among 20 catchers with at least 150 plate appearances, while his defense ranks fourth among 19 catchers with at least 300 innings. Only Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez ranks higher than Dingler in both categories.
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"We're a year removed from him being the guy getting the opportunity," manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday of Rogers getting replaced as the No. 1 catcher. "Last year, Jake caught so much because we trusted him so much. Just because Dillon has done well doesn't mean we trust Jake less or we expect less of him. It's really important that we keep it all in perspective."
Rogers, 30, remains an above-average defensive catcher, but his offense continues to lag behind. If Dingler weren't hitting, Rogers would probably still be the Tigers' No. 1 catcher.
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But Dingler is hitting.
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And Rogers is not.
"I want to play every day," Rogers said, "but when you got a player playing that well, it's tough to play every day."
Despite the demotion, Rogers has the respect of his teammates — and then some.
He hasn't lost the clubhouse.
"Jake is awesome," said right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle, who owns a 1.50 ERA in six innings with Rogers catching. "He's been an incredible teammate. I've seen it since Day 1 of spring training. He came up to me and gave me a big hug. I was like, 'Oh, this is awesome.' He's a great catcher. He does everything for us. He will go out there, lay on the ground and pretty much die for you. I love that. That's pretty much everybody in here."
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For now, the plan is simple: Rogers will start once per three-game series, and Dingler will catch the other two games. In the Royals series, Dingler is scheduled to start Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, with Rogers getting the nod Sunday, June 1.
Left-hander Tarik Skubal is starting Saturday's game.
It's another Skubal-Dingler pairing.
With Dingler catching this season, Skubal has a 1.55 ERA with two walks and 74 strikeouts across 52⅓ innings in eight starts — including his most recent outing, even though Rogers was healthy. With Rogers catching, Skubal has a 5.51 ERA, five walks and 18 strikeouts across 16⅓ innings in three starts.
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The Tigers are riding the hot hand behind the plate.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tommy Kahnle (43) shakes hands with catcher Jake Rogers (34) to celebrate 4-3 win over San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Although Rogers isn't the No. 1 anymore, he still has a role on the Tigers — a team with MLB's best record, at 37-20, entering Friday. He is a veteran leader behind the scenes, a unifying presence in the clubhouse and a steady backup catcher.
The Tigers need Rogers, even if they're not relying on him on the field as often.
"We've got a group of guys in the clubhouse that are all in, and when you are that way, any given day, you can be the guy," Hinch said. "When he gets his opportunities, he's the same guy. When he doesn't get opportunities, he's the same guy. That consistency is indicative of a really healthy clubhouse that cares about winning and cares about where we're at."
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Contact Evan Petzold at [e-mail] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers puts team first despite backup role