Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle was sitting in the home clubhouse at Comerica Park before Friday's game when a reporter informed him of a former teammate going to a division rival.
When asked what it would be like to see the player on the opposite side, McGonigle kept it brief: "That'll be weird."
The Chicago White Sox claimed former Tigers catcher Jake Rogers off waivers on Friday, Aug. 14, hours before the start of a crucial three-game weekend series between the Tigers and the White Sox at Comerica Park.
Rogers began the season with the Tigers but has taken a tour of American League teams over the past couple of weeks, first playing three games with the Baltimore Orioles after a July 30 trade from Detroit. He then appeared in three games for
the Boston Red Sox after his inclusion in a deadline-day trade that sent catcher Adley Rutschman to Boston.
And after the Red Sox put Rogers on waivers on Aug. 11, the White Sox became the fourth AL team to employ Rogers in 2026, hoping he could support their struggling catching situation.
"He's going to be an incredible answer on the Immaculate Grid this season," said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, referencing the daily online baseball trivia game that Rogers often plays. "I texted him right away and just told him baseball's really weird. He's already a journeyman, and it's just the last 10 days."
There's a strategic reason for the White Sox to take a flyer on Rogers. According to FanGraphs, the White Sox have gotten the worst production from the catching position in 2026 of any MLB team entering Friday, with a combined minus-0.7 fWAR from their catchers. Edgar Quero and Drew Romo, the two catchers listed on Chicago's 26-man roster on Friday morning, have combined for 58 hits in 330 at-bats, good for a .176 batting average with nine home runs and 27 RBIs.
And while Rogers hasn't performed well at the plate this season, slashing .183/.290/.327 in 125 plate appearances, he has shown power at points through his six-year career, and brings positive value according to both Baseball Reference (0.1 bWAR) and FanGraphs (0.0 fWAR) – a notable upgrade over Chicago's current catching situation.
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Rogers isn't expected to play in Friday's game, but could catch for the White Sox in either Saturday or Sunday's game at Comerica Park. As for the catcher's familiarity with the Tigers, that may not be as big of an advantage as some people might expect.
"They know that we have scouting reports on everybody," said Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson. "I don't think there's much."
Hinch also didn't seem worried about any potential organizational secrets Rogers could share that could give the White Sox an advantage.
"I don't think there's a lot of secrets in the league," Hinch said. "It's going to be more keeping the banter at a minimum when he comes to the plate."
Riley Greene injury update: Rehabbing in Lakeland
Hinch said left fielder Riley Greene will rehab his injured right hamstring at the Tigers facility in Lakeland, Florida, this week under the direction of team physical therapist Duncan Evans.
"We need the facility in Lakeland, [it's] just better suited for what [Greene] needs," Hinch said.
Greene exited Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians after appearing to hurt his hamstring while rounding the bases. He was placed on the 10-day injured list a day later and was diagnosed with a hamstring strain.
Greene has been one of the team's best hitters this season, putting up an .816 OPS with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs over 492 plate appearances in 2026. He made his third-straight All-Star game for the Tigers this year in his fifth MLB season.
Hinch didn't rule out Greene rejoining the team before the end of next week during a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals.
"He may rejoin us to continue rehabbing on the road trip, maybe Kansas City, maybe at home, maybe we like what's going on in Lakeland. We'll see."
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers react to catcher Jake Rogers being claimed by White Sox
