Eduardo

Valencia

Valencia’s home run was his second in three career games so far. He hit a solo shot off Cristopher Sanchez in the fifth inning. Valencia is 5-for-9 with two home runs and three RBI in three games to begin his career. Saturday was his first MLB start at catcher with Dillon Dingler returning from a hand injury as the DH. Once Dingler is back behind the dish, Valencia should still see plenty of at-bats against left-handed pitching as the DH.

Valencia entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Kerry Carpenter in the seventh inning. After ripping a pitch down the line that just missed being a double, he clobbered a 2-1 fastball from Hogan Harris for a 425-foot (103.4-mph EV) solo shot to center that increased the Tigers’ lead to 4-1. The 26-year-old backstop was then plunked in the back in the eighth inning. He’ll continue to add depth behind the plate for the Tigers until Dillon Dingler (hand) is ready to return.

The 26-year-old has hit .267/.353/.486 this season for the Mud Hens. It’s possible he plays some catcher in the short term while the team deals with Dillon Dingler’s hand injury.