Rupp's career .243/.298/.407 slash line in 296 big-league games looks good enough for him to at least contend for a backup catcher spot, but he's spent time with five different organizations over the last two seasons and failed to return to the majors with any of them. He looks to be minor-league depth behind Roberto Perez and Sandy Leon this season but could potentially make the major-league roster if one of that pair gets injured.

Rupp will provide Oakland with some extra depth behind the plate in the high minors while top catching prospect Sean Murphy (knee) works back from a torn meniscus. Oakland has received decent production from Josh Phegley and Nick Hundley at the big-league level this season and could get Chris Herrmann (knee) back from the injured list in a couple weeks, so Rupp may have a tough time earning a promotion to the majors even if he performs well in his initial action with Las Vegas.

Rupp is still just 30 years old, and there are many catchers with career slash lines worse than his .234/.298/.407 who have major-league jobs, but he hasn't been able to get into a big-league game since 2017. He hasn't had the best auditions at the Triple-A level, where he's hit a modest .229/.322/.413 in 107 games with four different organizations since the start of 2018. He'll hope to impress a fifth organization somewhere soon.

Rupp was the odd man out in the Tigers' catcher contest, falling third behind Grayson Greiner and John Hicks. He'll head to the minors and wait for an injury to open up playing time.