The Detroit Tigers have taken home four straight AL Central titles. However, the 2015 MLB season has been entirely different, as the club sits in last place in the division and continues to endure internal issues.
Closer Bruce Rondon was sent home on Tuesday due to his "effort level," or perhaps lack thereof. Manager Brad Ausmus addressed the media today and informed reporters of the incident.
"Bruce Rondon, because of his effort level, has been sent home," Ausmus said, via Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. "And, other than saying that (general manager) Al Avila and myself completely agreed on it, there will be no other details and comment."
Avila also noted via text message that he and Ausmus "agreed in the long run that this course of action is best for Bruce and the club," according to Fenech.
"We have made the only comment we are going to make," Avila wrote in an email to Jason Beck of MLB.com.
Rondon's locker inside the Tigers clubhouse was empty and his agent, Wilfredo Polidor, was unsure as to why the right-hander was sent home.
The 24-year-old became the team's closer after fellow reliever Joakim Soria was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates before the trade deadline. Joe Nathan, the team's original closer, was lost for the season back in April after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Rondon was 1-0 with a 5.81 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 36 strikeouts and 5 saves in 35 games (31 innings) this season. This incident comes a day after Ausmus said the right-hander is the one with the most left to prove in the final weeks of the season.
The Tigers (69-81) are on pace to record their first losing season since 2008, which was the last time they finished at the bottom of the AL Central. They sit 18.5 games behind the first-place Kansas City Royals and expect changes to come before the 2016 season.
