The Tigers designated catcher Dustin Garneau for assignment, according to an announcement from the team. Additionally, lefty Tyler Alexander hit the IL for an elbow sprain, bringing the team’s active roster down to 26 players.
The Tigers’ three-catcher plan has come to an end, with Tucker Barnhart and Eric Haase remaining to handle duties behind the plate. Garneau, 34, has led a journeyman MLB career, accumulating 506 big league plate appearances across eight seasons for six different teams. He’s never topped the 126 plate appearances he received in 2017 for the Rockies and A’s. Garneau had joined the Tigers last August as part of a full-circle series of transactions.
Even at age 34, an experienced catcher like Garneau with a “have glove, will travel” mindset is usually able to find a spot in an MLB organization, with the position always in short supply. And there’s always the possibility he clears waivers and remains with the Tigers. Though not known for his defense, the 29-year-old Haase will be Barnhart’s sole backup behind the dish, even though Haase has spent more time at left field than catcher so far this year.