Joe Nathan, Alex Avila

Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila and reliever Joe Nathan shake hands after their 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in Detroit.

(AP Photo)

UPDATE: Joe Nathan apologized Thursday for making the gesture after last night's game.

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers closer Joe Nathan has some explaining to do.

A frequent target of criticism, Nathan found himself at the center of controversy once again after making what appeared to be a chin flick gesture that could be interpreted as rude or demeaning in the direction of the crowd at Comerica Park immediately following Detroit's 8-4 win Wednesday night.

In the midst of a career-worst season, Nathan was greeted with boos when he took the mound in the ninth inning. The boos grew louder after the 39-year-old walked the first two batters he faced, which put the potential game-tying run on deck.

The incident in question occurred after Nathan got Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison to ground into a double play to end the game.

When the Tigers lined up for their traditional celebratory handshakes, Nathan appeared to make two chin flick hand gestures, both caught on camera.

Nathan was available for comment after the game, but members of the media weren't alerted to the incident until after the clubhouse had already closed.

This isn't the first time Nathan has found himself in the spotlight. The six-time All-Star seemingly threw rookie third baseman Nick Catellanos under the bus in late May during a postgame interview, moments after Nathan had given up a walk-off home run to A's third baseman Josh Donaldson in Oakland.

What do you make of Nathan's gestures Wednesday? Was he directing them at the fans in the crowd? Does this change how you view the reliever?

Watch the video below and judge for yourself.

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