Tigers announce Ausmus will return as manager for 2016 season
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 29: Manager Brad Ausmus #7 of the Detroit Tigers during batting practice before the start of MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 29, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Brad Ausmus will remain manager of the Detroit Tigers for the 2016 season, the team announced Saturday.
Because the team recently changed general managers and has spent much of the second half of the season in last place in the AL Central, there had been speculation that the organization would part ways with Ausmus.
Ausmus was hired as a first-time manager prior to the 2014 season, following the retirement of Jim Leyland. He guided the Tigers to their fourth consecutive division title last season, but the team was swept in the ALDS.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Tigers entered Saturday with a 72-81 record, 17 games behind the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals. Only the Oakland A's (65-89) have a worse record in the American League.