Tigers send reliever to minors after 'reckless' action led to scolding from manager

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The Detroit Tigers sent their closer from last season, Alex Lange, to Triple-A after a series of events that did not make manager AJ Hinch happy.

According to the Tigers' broadcast on Bally (which didn't show the incident), Lange had given up two runs, and then he threw a baseball "about 90 miles per hour over the Tigers dugout" into the protective netting in a "reckless" fashion.

Afterward, Hinch came out for a mound visit and visibly scolded Lange.

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Alex Lange, #55 of the Detroit Tigers, pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning of game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on April 30, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan.  (Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Benetti also said that Lange had a similar reaction after allowing back-to-back walks earlier in the week.

"I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a pitcher throw a ball that hard when they want a new baseball," Benetti said. "Usually they just lob it over there, and as soon as the ball ricocheted off the netting, I saw A.J. Hinch go to the steps, and it didn’t look like a pitching change."

The Kansas City Royals wound up winning the game, 8-3.

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Lange's frustration is understandable. He went from a 26-save season to being demoted to lower-leverage spots. His ERA has jumped from last year's 3.68 to 4.34, he's walking a career-high 8.2 batters per nine innings, and his WHIP is an astoundingly high 1.77.

Alex Lange, #55 of the Detroit Tigers, throws a pitch during the ninth inning of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park on April 5, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. 

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