​The Detroit Tigers are promoting a catcher from the minor leagues. On Thursday, July 9, the Tigers announced the call-up of Eduardo Valencia from Triple-A Toledo. The move comes in the wake of starting catcher Dillon Dingler sustaining a hand contusion. Although Dingler is not on the injured list, he is listed as day-to-day and currently out of the lineup.
To create roster space, Detroit designated Jahmai Jones for assignment. This adjustment helps the Tigers address a catching need without placing Dingler on the injured list.
Jones, 28, enjoyed a breakout 2025 season in a more limited role, posting a line of .287/.387/.550 over 150 plate appearances, largely as a designated hitter. Known as a left-handed specialist against lefties, Jones produced 16 extra-base hits against left-handed pitching in 2025 and emerged as a go-to pinch-hitter and platoon DH. However, his production deteriorated in 2026. Among Tigers players with at least 100 plate appearances this season, Jones recorded the team’s lowest batting average (.137) and the lowest slugging percentage (.221), striking out in about one-third of his at-bats and hitting only two home runs across 57 games. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged the rough patch, noting that Jones had difficulty distinguishing fastballs from off-speed pitches and often found himself in unproductive counts, which limited his comfort at the plate.
Valencia, 26, will immediately assume the role of backup catcher while Dingler remains day-to-day, with Jake Rogers stepping in as the starter for the time being. Valencia has yet to debut in the majors but has shown power in Toledo, slashing .267/.353/.486 with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs over 331 plate appearances. He has been part of the Tigers organization since 2018 and brings versatility to the roster, having started 47 games behind the plate, 23 at first base, and six as a designated hitter for Toledo in 2026.
“He’s swinging really well, and he’s done a great job behind the plate, too,” Dingler commented on Valencia Thursday. “The biggest thing is just to try to get him as comfortable as possible, because I know when I came up, that was a big thing.”
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