Tigers demote Collins after brash outburst in Detroit
Tyler Collins, the Detroit Tigers outfielder who responded to a chorus of boos at Comerica Park by flipping the bird at his own fans Monday, won't be with the team for the next little while.
The outfielder was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to make room for reliever Francisco Rodriguez, who's coming off the family medical emergency list, the team announced Wednesday.
Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus made clear to reporters that the outburst was not the reason for Collins' demotion.
"No, this has nothing to do with the other night. This was, he was scuffling, we had K-Rod coming back," Ausmus said, according to Matthew B. Mowery of The Oakland Press. "We felt like we could use another pitcher for the foreseeable future, the next few days at least, at least through the weekend."
Following the contest in question against the Oakland Athletics, Collins immediately apologized for the crude gesture.
"To be at home and hear the boos, hit a trigger in me and I lashed out completely inappropriately," Collins said. "I'm absolutely embarrassed it happened and I'm very sorry."
On Tuesday, the league revealed that Collins wouldn't face a suspension for his actions.