Tigers center fielder Tyler Collins will not be suspended by Major League Baseball for flipping off the jeering crowd at Comerica Park after he misplayed a routine fly ball during the sixth inning of Monday night's 7-3 win, a league spokesperson confirmed.
The 25-year-old outfielder lost Marcus Semien's fly ball in the lights and was roundly booed for his efforts, as well as the resulting error credited to left fielder Justin Upton, when the ball dropped for a double. Collins responded by waving an obscene, one-finger gesture toward the restless crowd.
The gesture was reviewed by MLB, which determined Collins would not face a suspension. The league, however, does not comment on whether a player is or isn't fined.
Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon was suspended seven games and fined an undisclosed amount for making a lewd gesture --- grabbing his crotch in an aggressive manner towards the crowd -- in 2014 while playing for the Phillies.
After Monday's game, Collins apologized profusely for his mistake in judgment and said that hearing the boos at such a frustrating time, from the home crowd, hurt.
"To hear boos after that play hit a trigger inside of me and I lashed out, completely inappropriately," Collins said. "I'm absolutely embarrassed, and I'm very sorry to everyone in Detroit."
Collins went on to profess his commitment to the team, organization and the city he represents.
"I just wanted you guys to understand that I love this team and I want to win, so when we come home and get booed, it's tough to swallow, but like I said, I apologize completely," Collins said. "I'm embarrassed [for] myself, I know my family is embarrassed of me, and I'm sure these guys are, too. So I'm sorry it happened."
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he did not see the obscene gesture in real time, but addressed it with Collins immediately after the game in the tunnel.
"It's clearly something that can't happen," Ausmus said. "He regrets it. It was an emotional reaction and he knows it was wrong. I'm sure you guys will ask him the same questions, and I'll let him speak for himself, but he just screwed up. He's a young guy that screwed up."
Ausmus said that if the Tigers decide to dole out any additional punishment, that decision will be handled internally.
Information from ESPN's Katie Strang was used in this report.