Tyler Collins wasn’t suspended for the middle finger he flashed during Monday night’s Detroit Tigers-Oakland A’s game, but his major league career has been put on hold.
The Tigers on Wednesday optioned Collins to Triple-A Toledo after activating right-handed reliever Francisco Rodriguez.
There’s no word on whether Collins’ demotion was related to Monday’s incident, during which the 25-year-old outfielder dropped a fly ball, was booed by his home fans at Comerica Park and proceeded to flip off the crowd and shout obscenities. He’s also struggled at the plate this season, managing just two hits in his first 20 at-bats.
Collins, to his credit, apologized for his poor judgement immediately after Monday’s game.
“Nobody wants that ball to get lost less than me,” he told reporters, via the Detroit Free Press. “That hurts. And to be at home and to hear boos after that play, it hit a trigger inside of me, and I lashed out, completely inappropriately.
“I’m absolutely embarrassed that happened, and I’m very sorry to everybody in Detroit. I just want you guys to understand that I love this team and I want to win, so when we come home and get booed, it’s tough to swallow. But like I said, I apologize completely, and I’m embarrassed at myself and I know my family is embarrassed at me and I’m sure these guys are, too, so I’m sorry that happened.”
