Detroit Tigers activate Báez and designate veteran catcher Rogers for assignment

Javier Báez's return to Comerica Park provided a much-needed lift for the Detroit Tigers' locker room. He was back in the starting lineup on Wednesday, serving as the center fielder against the Baltimore Orioles, bringing a potential jolt to a team in urgent need of one. Yet the accompanying adjustment to the roster felt like a sucker punch to the hearts of everyone involved.

Just as the Tigers activated Báez from the 60-day injured list, the team announced they had designated catcher Jake Rogers for assignment. This meant parting ways with the well-liked catcher, one of the longest-tenured players on the squad, and an unofficial clubhouse leader. Báez last played on April 28, when he suffered a severe high ankle sprain on his right foot. During his recovery, the injury recurred, repeatedly pushing back his timeline for return.

"I'm really excited to be back on the big-league field," Báez said, "and I'm ready to help the team at any time."

Báez's extended absence had multiple effects on the Tigers, who are competing ahead of Monday's trade deadline. Kevin McGonigle took over primary duties at shortstop, while center field became a rotating door, recently manned by waiver pickup James Outman and Matt Vierling on a rotating basis. Báez provides above-average defense at both positions and also brings a powerful right-handed bat to a team that has struggled against left-handed pitching all season.

"He has that presence," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He has a huge impact on our entire atmosphere. He's an energy creator, someone you look forward to seeing every day. He does incredible things on the field. I think you feel that impact from the moment he walks in the door until the game ends. You never know what he's going to bring that will make you stand up."

In four rehab games across Triple-A Toledo and Single-A Lakeland, Báez went 6-for-12 with a .500 batting average, including three doubles. Three of those extra-base hits came in his first game with the Mud Hens on Sunday. He reported to Comerica Park on Tuesday, but the Tigers wanted a day to evaluate and give him rest before activating him. As a result, when Detroit placed Kerry Carpenter on the 10-day IL with left plantar fasciitis on Tuesday, they called up power-hitting catcher/first baseman Eduardo Valencia.

With Báez's return, the Tigers chose to keep Valencia and cut Rogers. Rogers spent his entire six-year MLB career with the Tigers after coming over from the Astros' system in 2017. He was the last remaining piece of the Justin Verlander trade, making his MLB debut in 2019. On the current Tigers roster, only Keider Montero and Wenceel Pérez have been with the organization longer; both signed as teenagers in 2016.

After returning from Tommy John surgery in 2023, Rogers became the Tigers' primary catcher and immediately made an impact as a power hitter with 21 home runs in a season. His game-calling skills and chemistry with pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize became a perfect match as they emerged in the Tigers' starting rotation. Rogers was Skubal's personal catcher throughout the 2024 season when Skubal won his first AL Cy Young Award.

"We'll always have that special bond," Skubal said. "For both of us, 2024 was a season I'll never forget. He helped guide me and was with me when I won my first Cy Young. I'll always be grateful for that. And he always kept me accountable, reminding me both on and off the field."

Last year, with the rise of Dillon Dingler, Rogers moved to a backup role and struggled at the plate in limited playing time. With his contract expiring after the season, Rogers was widely expected to be one of the Tigers' trade chips before Monday's deadline. Now, any team can acquire him via trade or waiver claim, and if he goes unclaimed, he can elect free agency.

"I love Jake. He's been here since I arrived," Hinch said. "President of baseball operations Scott Harris, Jake, and I had a meeting after Monday night's game. We talked about the past and explained how the timing and decision were made. We've always been very firm about giving players opportunities when they've earned them. And obviously, we really liked what Valencia showed here last time. We want to maximize the value of that roster spot as much as we can."

Valencia will serve as the Tigers' backup catcher for the stretch run. During his first MLB stint earlier this month, he went 5-for-12 with two home runs and three RBIs, but he only caught in one game. Valencia will now get a longer look, and the Tigers are starting to look ahead to the future, which could be a theme after the trade deadline.

"It's business, right? You understand the decision," Skubal said. "I'm not worried about him or his future career at all. He'll definitely find a home somewhere. I was already off the field when it happened, so I didn't get a chance to say goodbye in person. That kind of stinks."