The Detroit Tigers demoted their closer from last season, Alex Lange, to Triple-A after a series of incidents that did not sit well with manager AJ Hinch. Lange had given up two runs in a game and then threw a baseball aggressively into the protective netting in a reckless manner. Hinch scolded Lange on the mound after the incident. Lange had previously displayed a similar reaction after allowing back-to-back walks in another game earlier in the week. The Tigers ultimately lost the game to the Kansas City Royals 8-3.
Lange’s frustration was likely amplified by his poor performance this season. His ERA has risen from 3.68 to 4.34, and he is walking a career-high 8.2 batters per nine innings. His WHIP is an incredibly high 1.77. Hinch emphasized that the decision to send Lange to the minor leagues was purely performance-related and not a reaction to his emotional outburst in the game. The Tigers have been concerned about Lange’s strike-throwing and execution throughout his major league career, and his struggles with the strike zone led to this decision.
Lange had a strong start to the season, allowing just one earned run in his first 14 innings pitched. However, he has had difficulty in his last few games, allowing four earned runs in a short amount of time. This inconsistency likely factored into the Tigers’ decision to demote him to Triple-A. Hinch explained that Lange’s role in the bullpen had shifted as a result of his struggles with the strike zone, and sending him to Toledo to work on those issues was seen as the best course of action.
The Tigers demotion of Lange comes after a controversial call made by an umpire in a tournament game that ended in uproar. The Tigers’ decision to send Lange to the minors was in response to his performance on the field, and not a reaction to his emotional outbursts during games. Hinch stressed the importance of strike-throwing and execution in Lange’s game, and sending him to Toledo to work on those aspects was seen as a necessary step in his development. Despite Lange’s initial success at the start of the season, his recent struggles led to the decision to demote him.
Lange will have the opportunity to work on his game and make improvements in Toledo before potentially returning to the major league level. The Tigers will continue to monitor his progress and hope that he can regain his form and contribute positively to the team in the future. Hinch’s decision to demote Lange was based on performance-related issues, and the organization remains committed to helping Lange develop and succeed in his role as a pitcher for the Tigers.
