Tigers' All-Star Catcher Exits Game Early With Injury

After a few practice throws, Dingler stayed in the game to finish the inning, but was replaced by Jake Rogers when it was his turn to bat. Rogers would hit a two-run home run in that at-bat and would stay in the game as the Tigers' catcher.

Any substantial absence for Dingler would be just the latest in a long list of injuries for the Tigers this year. Nearly every starting pitcher has had at least one IL stint, and infielders Gleyber Torres and Javier Baez have been sidelined for large parts of the season. Detroit has also been missing key members of its bullpen, including a stretch without closer Kenley Jansen and multiple absences by set-up man Will Vest.

Dingler, 27, is enjoying a breakout year for the Tigers and was announced as a reserve All-Star for the American League over the weekend. In 84 games this year, Dingler has already hit career highs in home runs (19) and RBI (60), and has a .262/.323/.514 slash line. Behind the plate, Dingler has a stellar .995 fielding percentage and has committed just three errors while catching 11 base runners on 47 steal attempts.

The Tigers currently sit in fourth place in the AL Central Division and are 6.5 games back of the division-leading Chicago White Sox. Entering Wednesday's action, the Tigers were also 5.0 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot. Dingler will no doubt receive further testing on his hand, but as of now, his All-Star Game appearance is very much in jeopardy.

With just four games left until the All-Star break, it would not be a surprise to see the Tigers hold Dingler out of the lineup even if the injury isn't deemed to be too serious.