Detroit — It was May 25 when Dillon Dingler really cemented his status as the Tigers’ starting catcher.

That day, Dingler was in the starting lineup to catch for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, even though Jake Rogers had recently returned from the injured last, and Rogers had long been written in stone as Skubal’s catcher. That Dillon was getting the call was the strongest signal to date that the torch was being passed.

Skubal went nine innings that day against the Cleveland Guardians, allowing two hits for the first complete game and the first shutout of his major-league career. Next time out, Dingler caught Skubal again, and the lefty again allowed two hits and no runs, this time over seven innings.

All along, Skubal — who had Rogers for his catcher for all 31 regular-season starts, when he

See Full Page