Tigers send Rondon home for ‘effort level’

Monday, Brad Ausmus was asked which Detroit Tiger had the most at stake in the final two weeks of the season.

“Bruce Rondon,” the manager said without hesitating.

Tuesday, Rondon is not with the Tigers.

After throwing a scoreless inning of relief in Monday night’s loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers have sent their closer home “because of his effort level,” Ausmus said.

“And other than saying that (general manager) Al Avila and myself completely agreed on it, there will be no other details or comment and I’ll leave it at that,” Ausmus said.

Rondon’s velocity was noticeably down in the outing clocked in the low-to-mid 90 mph range and afterward, Ausmus said he saw the readings, but said Rondon said he was fine.

Asked to assess the outing, Ausmus said “he got three outs.”

Rondon declined to talk to reporters after the game.

In 35 appearances this season, Rondon has a 5.81 ERA. Since he was installed as the team’s closer after the July 31 trade deadline, he has blown four of nine save opportunities.

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