Veteran catcher Jake Rogers is headed to his fourth team in under three weeks, as the Chicago White Sox have claimed him off waivers following his release just a few days ago.
Rogers began this turbulent stretch in Detroit, where he spent the first eight years of his MLB career. The 31-year-old long served as the personal catcher for former Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal but was designated for assignment on July 28th as the club geared up to trade the ace at the deadline.
Rogers was then traded to the Baltimore Orioles for RHP Zane Barnhart, who were short both catchers Samuel Basallo and Adley Rustschman, before being flipped to the Red Sox just four days later in the blockbuster deadline deal that sent Rutschman to Boston. He logged three games with each AL East squad before again being DFA'd by the Red Sox when Rutschman came off of the IL.
The quick departures are not for a lack of success, as Rogers made a real case to stick on Boston's roster. He went 3-for-6 with two doubles, two walks, two RBI, and four runs in his short stint with the Red Sox, including a clutch sac-fly in the 13-inning victory over the White Sox. He also worked Payton Tolle's 14-strikeout game, showing an ability to quickly mesh with a team's top starters.
There was some belief that the Los Angeles Dodgers would claim Rogers considering his relationship with Skubal and their need for a backstop with Will Smith and Dalton Rushing both on the IL, but it was the White Sox who pounced on the opportunity and the Dodgers instead signed Chadwick Tromp.
Rogers will bring a steady glove and veteran presence to the South Siders but carries very little offensive upside. In 42 games this season, he is batting .183 with a .617 OPS and is a career .199 hitter.
The need is there for Chicago, who saw deadline pickup Joey Bart join starter Kyle Teel on the IL last week. With the 40-man roster full, the White Sox DFA'd left-hander Joe Rock to clear a spot for Rogers.
