Orioles Acquire Catcher Jake Rogers as Injuries Deplete Roster

The Baltimore Orioles traded minor-league right-hander Zane Barnhart to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for catcher Jake Rogers. The Tigers had designated Rogers for assignment earlier in the week, making the move unsurprising to Baltimore, which was actively seeking catching depth.

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Baltimore’s two primary catchers—Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo—are both on the injured list. In response, the Orioles promoted Sam Huff and Chadwick Tromp as temporary replacements, then later added Yohel Pozo from Double-A. Since July 19, the trio of Huff, Tromp and Pozo have combined for just 2 hits in 35 at-bats, providing minimal offensive contribution.

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• Jake Rogers: batting .161 this season with three home runs and nine RBIs; career average .197.

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• Zane Barnhart: 2-3 win–loss record, 4.05 ERA across 31 relief appearances for Double-A Chesapeake this season.

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The acquisition addresses the immediate need for a defensively capable catcher while the team searches for a spark in the lineup. Rogers’ limited offensive production suggests he will primarily serve as a backup and defensive stabilizer, allowing the Orioles to keep their top prospects on the injured list without further depleting the roster. Barnhart adds a fresh arm to Detroit’s minor-league bullpen, potentially bolstering their depth for the remainder of the season.

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