USA TODAY Sports
The first question of the Detroit Tigers’ off-season has been answered: Manager Brad Ausmus will be back.
The team has exercised Ausmus’ fourth-year contract option, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, marking the second consecutive season that general manager Al Avila has stuck with Ausmus amid criticism of the skipper.
The Tigers are expected to make an announcement later today.
The news was first reported by the Detroit News.
In Ausmus' third season, the Tigers finished 86-75 and 2 1/2 games short of an American League wild-card spot, missing the postseason for a second consecutive year.