Bruce Rondon involved in wild bench-clearing brawl in winter ball

If there’s one thing Detroit Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon needed to do this offseason, it was prove that he could handle himself like an adult.

The 25-year-old right-hander has had his maturity called into question many times since he worked his way to the big leagues in 2013. Then on Sept. 22 of this year, all doubted was removed when he was suspended manager Brad Ausmus for the remainder of the season due to his “effort level.”

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Teams tolerate a lot throughout the course of a 162-game schedule. They know it’s impossible to expect one-hundred percent effort at all times, but they also know a message needs to be sent from time-to-time. Sometimes we’ll see players removed from games because they didn’t run out a popfly. Sometimes they’ll be benched a day or two for lollygagging after a fly ball. The Tigers zoomed passed those options and ended Rondon’s season, indicating his issues were lingering and not isolated.

The best ways for Rondon to prove he received the message would be working his tail off this winter to get for ready spring training, and to remain under the radar until that time arrived. Rondon couldn’t do that though. Instead, the spotlight is right back on him after he was involved in a wild bench-clearing brawl during a winter ball game on Saturday.

(AP) It’s not exactly clear where the tensions began, but video shows Rondon on the receiving end of a tirade from Pirates prospect Jose Osuna after a seemingless harmless pickoff attempt. Some back-and-forth jawing ensues, then Rondon gestures to bring it on and within seconds the chaos breaks loose.

Rondon clearly makes a lunging attempt at Osuna and possibly connects with a punch. He’s not allowed to do much more though as several players were involved quickly. Good thing too, because it’s clear the two players wanted at each other badly.

What’s not clear, at least not right now, is what type of punishment might come down from the Tigers once they lay eyes on this video and digest Rondon’s latest antics. Though he wasn’t alone in creating this scene, it’s not a good look given his history. Even with his immense upside — and a 100 mph fastball — they may deem he’s not worth the headache anymore.

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What a fall it would be too. The Tigers gave Rondon a chance at the closer’s role this past season after veteran Joe Nathan went down to injury and Rondon returned form his own biceps injury. That’s a big responsibility and an even bigger opportunity, but he couldn’t handle the job. He ended up posting a 5.81 ERA over 31 innings before Ausmus ended his season.

It’s tough enough to get one chance in MLB. Rondon has already blown a few, but this incident may be the final straw. At least for Detroit.

BLS H/N: CBS Detroit

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