Detroit Tigers All-Star catcher Dillon Dingler left Wednesday, July 8’s game against the Athletics early with an injury at Comerica Park.
In the top of the second inning, Dingler had a 95 mph sinker from right-hander Troy Melton fouled off his right throwing hand. Dingler held his hand in pain for a few moments before manager A.J. Hinch and a team trainer checked on him.
The trainer probed and massaged Dingler’s hand behind home plate. After a few practice throws, Dingler remained in the game for the end of the half-inning.
But, Hinch pulled Dingler from the game before his at-bat in the bottom of the second inning. A camera shot of the top of Dingler’s hand near his thumb showed an imprint of the seams of the baseball.
Backup Jake Rogers pinch-hit for Dingler, and promptly hit a no-doubter to left-center field for his second home run of the season, making it 3-0 Tigers.
Dingler, 27, has been sensational in his second full season with the Tigers. He’s their first catcher to make the All-Star Game in 15 years. He is second on the team with 3.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), according to Baseball Reference.
Dingler is hitting .264 with a team-high in home runs (19) and RBIs (60). The reigning Gold Glove winner has matched his offensive output with stellar defense and game management behind the plate.
“He is the best catcher in baseball, no doubt,” Tarik Skubal said after his start on Tuesday night. “Go look at every single number.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dillon Dingler injury update after Tigers All-Star hit on throwing hand
Reporting by Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
