Dillon Dingler’s All-Star Status in Question After Hand Issue

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler has a problem he probably didn’t expect two weeks ago. He made the All-Star team, and now he might not be able to play in it.

Dingler was named a reserve for the American League roster. Then he tweaked his hand. The injury is not considered serious — the team is calling him day to day — but it’s enough that his availability for the Midsummer Classic is uncertain right now. Tigers manager AJ Hinch told Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic that the team is still evaluating what this means for Dingler’s status in the game.

Here’s the thing: Dingler could have started this game. Shea Langeliers of the Athletics got the nod, and Langeliers has been great. But Dingler’s numbers this season made a real case for him to be the guy behind the plate. The 27-year-old is hitting .264 with an .841 OPS and 19 home runs. That’s not just good for a catcher. That’s good for any position player.

He has quietly turned himself into one of the better catchers in baseball. The All-Star nod was deserved. Now it’s just a question of whether he’ll actually get to take the field.

Detroit’s Trade Deadline Outlook Gets Complicated

The Tigers have a bigger problem than Dingler’s hand, though. It’s the same problem every borderline team faces this time of year: do you buy or sell?

Detroit sits at 42-50. That’s not good. But they’re only 5.5 games back in the AL Central and four games out of a wild card spot. That’s close enough that nobody in the front office can say with a straight face that the season is over.

The Tigers have played better lately. Not great, but better. And that makes the math harder. If they were 15 games under .500, this is easy. You sell. But when you’re within striking distance and the division is weak, you at least have to think about it.

For now, the smart money is still on Detroit selling at the deadline. Their overall performance this season suggests they’re closer to a 75-win team than a playoff team. But the front office has options, and they’re not tipping their hand yet.

Dingler’s injury situation adds another wrinkle. If he’s healthy, he’s a piece other teams might ask about. If he’s hurt, that complicates things. Either way, the Tigers play the Athletics on Thursday, and Dingler’s status will be the first thing to watch.