Orioles Activate Jake Rogers, Designate Chadwick Tromp for Assignment
The Baltimore Orioles continued reshaping their roster ahead of the stretch run on Friday by officially activating catcher Jake Rogers and designating veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp for assignment. The move comes just one day after Baltimore acquired Rogers from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Double-A right-handed pitcher Zane Barnhart, addressing a growing need behind the plate.
Orioles Add Experience at Catcher
The Orioles have been forced to patch together their catching situation after injuries to both Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo. Rutschman remains sidelined with left wrist inflammation, while Basallo is recovering from right shoulder inflammation, leaving Baltimore short on experienced options.
Rogers, 31, immediately joins the active roster and will wear No. 27.
Although his offensive numbers have dipped this season, Rogers brings one thing Baltimore desperately needs: proven Major League defense and game management.
Jake Rogers (2026)
- 34 games
- .161 batting average
- 3 home runs
- 9 RBIs
Those numbers do not tell the entire story.
Rogers has established himself as one of baseball’s better defensive catchers over the past several seasons. He blasted 21 home runs in 2023 and added 10 more in 2024, showing legitimate power while handling a talented Detroit pitching staff. Across six-plus Major League seasons, Rogers has appeared in more than 360 games, giving Baltimore valuable experience during an injury-plagued stretch.
Chadwick Tromp Becomes the Odd Man Out
To clear room, the Orioles designated Chadwick Tromp for assignment.
Tromp was called upon after Baltimore’s injury crisis at catcher but struggled to provide offensive production. Along with Sam Huff and Yohel Pozo, Orioles replacement catchers combined for just two hits in 35 at-bats since July 19, prompting the front office to seek outside help.
Being designated for assignment does not necessarily end Tromp’s time with the organization. Baltimore now has a limited window to trade him, place him on outright waivers, or outright him to Triple-A if he clears waivers and accepts the assignment.
What This Means
This move is less about adding offense and more about stabilizing one of baseball’s most demanding defensive positions.
Rogers is known for:
- Strong pitch framing
- Above-average throwing arm
- Handling veteran pitching staffs
- Extensive Major League experience
- Leadership behind the plate
With Baltimore still battling for postseason positioning, the Orioles prioritized reliability behind the dish while waiting for Rutschman and Basallo to return.
MSB Analysis
This is a smart baseball move.
Jake Rogers is not being brought in to carry the offense. Baltimore needs someone capable of guiding its pitching staff through meaningful games while the club waits for its top two catchers to heal.
The Orioles have relied on replacement catchers throughout July, and the offensive production simply was not enough. Rogers gives manager Brandon Hyde—or whoever is filling out the lineup card this season—a veteran defender who has caught high-pressure games and understands how to manage a Major League staff.
If Rutschman or Basallo return later this season, Rogers also projects as an excellent defensive backup for a playoff push.
For Chadwick Tromp, the move is unfortunate but understandable. He answered the call during Baltimore’s injury crisis and provided organizational depth when it was needed. Whether he remains in the Orioles organization or catches on elsewhere, Tromp has shown he can provide valuable depth at the Major League level.
For now, Baltimore hopes Rogers can bring stability to a position that has been one of the club’s biggest concerns over the past two weeks.
