Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters in Bradenton, Florida, Wednesday that catcher Jake Rogers was scratched from the game against the Pirates with a mild concussion.
Rogers was injured in a freak mishap in the batting cage. He lost control of his bat and it ended up hitting him in the face on a ricochet.
There is no concussion protocol in spring but Hinch said he expects Rogers to be ready for Opening Day. The Tigers open at San Diego next Thursday at 4:10 p.m.
The Tigers lost to the Pirates, 3-1, on Wednesday night. Casey Mize gave up three earned runs over four innings with six strikeouts.
Non-roster cuts
The Tigers Wednesday reassigned five non-roster players minor league camp: Lefty Konnor Pilkington and right-handers Jack Little, Scott Effross and Tanner Rainey, plus outfielder Corey Julks.
Julks, 30, had a strong camp. He went 9 for 27 with three home runs, nine RBI and a 1.165 OPS. But, barring an injury, the odds were long against him cracking the Opening Day roster.
Rainey, 32, who has pitched in parts of eight big-league seasons, including two games last season, allowed a run in 7.2 spring innings but he walked six.
Pilkington, 28, who had brief stints with the Guardians and Nationals, struck out eight with no walks in 7.1 innings this spring.
Effross, 32, the former Yankee and Cub, had his camp cut short by an oblique strain.
Little, 28, who debuted with the Dodgers last season, struck out nine in nine innings this spring but also gave up six runs (four earned).
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