Detroit — It was just a couple of weeks ago the Tigers designated catcher Jake Rogers for assignment.
Since then, he played for the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox. And on Friday, just before the series at Comerica Park, he was signed by the Chicago White Sox.
“He’s going to be an incredible answer on the Immaculate Grid,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said.
The transaction wasn’t official until Friday afternoon. Rogers was expected to join the White Sox before Saturday's 1:10 p.m. game at Comerica Park.
“I’m excited to see him,” Spencer Torkelson said.
Hinch texted Rogers after the news got out.
“I am super happy for him to continue to get opportunities,” Hinch said. “Baseball is really weird. He’s already a journeyman in just the last 10 days.”
Hinch didn’t think there was much insider information Rogers could provide his new team.
“I don’t think there is a lot of secrets in this league,” he said. “Obviously there are some subtle things he knows but I don’t know what that means, tangibly.
"It’s just going to be more about keeping the banter at a minimum when he gets behind the plate.”
Rogers, 31, was the last player left with the Tigers from the Justin Verlander trade to the Houston Astros in 2017, before he was DFA'd late last month. He was batting .161 in the backup catcher role this season with Detroit. He got five at-bats with Baltimore (one hit) and six with Boston (three hits, two RBIs).
Baez on debut in left field
Javier Baez didn’t think it was any big deal. A Gold Glove shortstop and All-Star centerfielder, Baez made his first-ever start in left field Thursday.
“I didn’t get many balls hit out there,” he shrugged. “But it is definitely tougher to read balls off the bat. I felt pretty good. I feel like if Manny (Ramirez) did it, I can do it.”
Baez laughed at that. Ramirez, the former Red Sox left fielder, is one of his favorite players.
“It’s baseball,” he said. “It’s got nine positions, offense and defense. I think players who can do it (move around) are different. I know a lot of players can do it, but they’d rather not. I just think it’s fun.”
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Ex-Tiger Jake Rogers back in Detroit ... with fourth team in two weeks