The Detroit Tigers fired Triple-A Toledo manager Gabe Alvarez for sending an inappropriate text to a female colleague. Alvarez acknowledged the message was inappropriate and stated it did not reflect his values.
Key points
Gabe Alvarez was fired by the Detroit Tigers.
The firing was due to an inappropriate text to a female colleague.
Alvarez acknowledged the message was inappropriate.
The Tigers cited a violation of club policy.
Alvarez intended the text as a lighthearted joke.
Mentioned in this story
Gabe Alvarez
Detroit Tigers
Tigers fired Gabe Alvarez over 'inappropriate' text to female co-worker: Report
The Tigers announced the firing of Alvarez on Tuesday, May 5, without much context, saying he was let go for "a violation of club policy."
"I sent a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke," Alvarez said in the statement to ESPN. "Shortly after sending it, I recognized that the message was inappropriate and did not reflect the values and judgment I strive to uphold, and I immediately reached out to clarify my intent.
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws a baseball into the stands after fielding the second inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Q&A
What led to Gabe Alvarez's firing from the Tigers?
Gabe Alvarez was fired for sending an inappropriate text message to a female colleague, which violated club policy.
What did Gabe Alvarez say about the text message?
Alvarez described the text as intended as a lighthearted joke but later recognized it was inappropriate and did not reflect his values.
When was Gabe Alvarez fired by the Detroit Tigers?
Gabe Alvarez was fired on Tuesday, May 5.
What is the Detroit Tigers' policy regarding inappropriate conduct?
The Tigers have a strict policy against inappropriate conduct, which was cited as the reason for Alvarez's termination.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) runs onto the field for first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) is grounded out to Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) watches a play from the dugout during the first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) bats against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers shortstop Zack Short (15) throws towards first base as Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) is out on second base during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) walks off the field after throwing first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) throws against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) bats against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) catches for a fly out against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Pérez (46) catches for a fly out against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Ty Madden (36) throws against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws a baseball into the stands after fielding the second inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) throws a baseball into the stands after fielding the second inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) runs onto the field for first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) throws against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) is grounded out to Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) watches a play from the dugout during the first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony (19) bats against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers shortstop Zack Short (15) throws towards first base as Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (40) is out on second base during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) walks off the field after throwing first inning against Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) throws against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) bats against Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) catches for a fly out against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Pérez (46) catches for a fly out against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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Detroit Tigers host Boston Red Sox in series at Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers pitcher Ty Madden (36) throws against Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026.
"I never intended to cause discomfort or offense, and I regret that the message created this situation. This was an isolated incident and not reflective of my long-standing record of professionalism, respect for colleagues, and conduct over the course of my career."
Alvarez was replaced by Mike Hessman, who has been a hitting coach with Toledo since 2023 and worked with the Tigers before that, accepting a demotion to the minor-league staff after the 2022 season.
"I talked to Hess this morning to establish the cadence that goes on with him," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. "Obviously, I don't have a comment on the whole thing. In terms of my confidence in Hess and the transition, he's going to handle it very well. He communicates. He's got the trust of the players. He and I talked regularly already, even as he was the hitting coach. Now as the manager, the conversations change a little bit, but we have full confidence in Hess being able to continue on in making our players better and communicating to me and my staff what he needs to in order to get the players who come up here ready to play."
Alvarez was named as the Tigers manager ahead of the 2025 season after three seasons as Double-A Erie's manager before that, where he had a 232-178 record and three division titles.
"We will have no further comment," the Tigers said in the statement on Tuesday.
Andrew Birkle is an assistant sports editor for the Free Press. Contact him via email at abirkle@freepress.com.
Free Press sports writer Evan Petzold contributed to this report.
