The Baltimore Orioles have acquired veteran catcher Jake Rogers in a trade with the Detroit Tigers, who designated him for assignment earlier this week.
Rogers, 31, will join a team looking to bolster its pitching staff and strengthen its lineup. He was acquired by the Tigers in 2017 from the Houston Astros in the Justin Verlander trade and debuted with Detroit in 2019. However, he was replaced as starting catcher in 2025 by Dillon Dingler.
Rogers was DFA'd by the Tigers this week when the team activated Javier Baez off the injured list and promoted red-hot minor-league catcher Eduard Valencia, who had four home runs in his first seven games in the major leagues. The move marked the end of an era for Rogers, who was batting just .166/.266/.301 in 34 games with the Tigers this season.
In exchange for Rogers, the Tigers acquired minor-league right-hander Zane Barnhart, who will report to Double-A Erie. Barnhart, 24, was a 17th-round pick by the Orioles in 2023 and has a promising track record in the minors. This season at Double A, he is 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA in 40 appearances, all in relief.
The trade signals a shift in the Tigers' catching corps, which had been a point of contention in the offseason. With Rogers gone, the team will likely rely on Valencia and other young catchers to fill the void.
The Orioles, meanwhile, have secured a veteran presence behind the plate, which could help stabilize their pitching staff. With Rogers on board, the team will look to build on its recent success and make a push for the playoffs.
The trade was announced Thursday afternoon by the Tigers and Orioles, marking the end of a tumultuous week for Rogers. As he begins a new chapter with the Orioles, fans will be watching closely to see how he adapts to his new role.
Source: Yahoo Sports