The Tigers optioned Valencia to Triple-A Toledo following Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Valencia was recalled from Triple-A shortly before the All-Star break to provide catching depth behind Dillon Dingler, but the former will head back to Toledo after Gleyber Torres (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Valencia did well at the plate during his short major-league stint, going 5-for-12 (.417) with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored.
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Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Goes deep against Philadelphia
Rotowire
Valencia went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during the Tigers' 4-2 loss to the Phillies on Saturday.
Valencia put the Tigers on the board with a solo homer off All-Star southpaw Cristopher Sanchez in the fifth inning. Valencia has gone deep in two of the first three games of his major-league career, and his power doesn't come as much of a surprise, given that he logged 16 home runs across 331 plate appearances in Triple-A this season and another 25 deep balls over 433 minor-league plate appearances in 2025. Dillon Dingler was back in the Tigers' lineup after missing time due to a thumb injury, and with Jake Rogers on the 26-man roster, Valencia will likely head back to Triple-A at some point over the coming days.
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Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Homers in first MLB at-bat
Rotowire
Valencia went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and was also hit by a pitch in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Athletics.
Valencia received his first call to the majors earlier in the day, and he supplied a special moment when he appeared as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. The 26-year-old Venezuelan lifted the fourth pitch of his first MLB at-bat over the wall in center for his first career home run. Valencia spent eight seasons in the minors before getting promoted to provide some catching depth as Dillon Dingler manages a thumb injury. Dingler's injury isn't considered serious and may return to the lineup soon, which could send Valencia back to Triple-A Toledo, though he's firmly in the mix to provide MLB depth the rest of the season as needed.
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Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Sent out to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Tigers optioned Valencia to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Valencia joined the Tigers for big-league camp but never appeared likely to make the Opening Day roster so long as Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers emerged from spring training with their health intact. The 26-year-old backstop should get the chance to play fairly regularly at Toledo and could get his first big-league call-up if Dingler or Rogers misses time at any point.
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Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Cleared for all baseball activities
Rotowire
Valencia (quadriceps) has been cleared for all baseball activities Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Valencia has been dealing with a strained left quad but appears ready to play in Grapefruit League games. The 26-year-old backstop split the 2025 campaign between Double-A and Triple-A and slashed .311/.382/.559 with 24 home runs, 95 RBI and 64 runs scored across 433 plate appearances.
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Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Working way through running program
Rotowire
Valencia (quadriceps) is still completing a running progression but is otherwise taking part in all baseball activities, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Valencia is working his way back from a left quad strain and doesn't look like he'll be fully cleared by the time Grapefruit League play gets underway this week. The 26-year-old backstop was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster over the winter, but he'll likely be optioned to Triple-A Toledo before the end of camp.
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Tigers' Eduardo Valencia: Shielded from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Tigers selected Valencia's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Valencia spent time with Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in 2025, posting a .311/.382/.559 slash line with 24 homers, 95 RBI and 64 runs scored between the two affiliates. His addition to the 40-man roster will prevent another team from scooping him up in the Rule 5, and he could compete for a spot on the big-league roster in 2026 if his bat remains hot in spring training.
