BREAKING: Dillon Dingler makes his much-anticipated return to the Detroit Tigers lineup! The 27-year-old catcher, who is still in recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, joined the team as the designated hitter for the first game of 2026 spring training against the Philadelphia Phillies on February 27, 2026, at Joker Marchant Stadium.
While Dingler has not yet been fully cleared to catch, his appearance signifies a promising step forward in his recovery process. He is expected to avoid missing any regular season games, with Opening Day scheduled for March 26, 2026. “It’s still up in the air a little bit,” Dingler commented regarding his timeline for full clearance. He anticipates being ready for all baseball activities within the next week and a half.
Prior to this game, Dingler participated in three days of live batting practice at the TigerTown backfields. He will face Phillies right-hander Jean Cabrera in today’s matchup. “It’s progressing well,” Dingler expressed. “This is a good first step, so I look forward to getting out there.”
The next critical phase for Dingler involves completing his throwing program, focusing on various distances to regain full strength. Last season in 2025, he achieved a batting average of .278, hitting 13 home runs while recording 23 walks and 110 strikeouts across 126 games. His stellar performance behind the plate earned him the American League Gold Glove Award, making him the fourth catcher in Tigers history to receive this honor.
Stay tuned for updates on Dingler’s recovery and performance as he aims to reestablish himself in the Tigers lineup. For more insights, follow Evan Petzold at @EvanPetzold or contact him at [email protected].
