Watch: Tigers' Rondon involved in ugly brawl

Anthony Fenech | Detroit Free Press

Bruce Rondon is pitching in Venezuela.

He is fighting, too, and was thrown out of a winter league game in Venezuela after starting a bench-clearing brawl in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game against Bravos de Margarita.

Rondon hit Pirates prospect Jose Osuna to lead-off the inning. After Rondon threw a pick-off attempt, Osuna said something to him. Rondon responded and eventually charged at the Pirates prospect to put the melee in motion.

After getting sent home late in September, Rondon is trying to earn back the Tigers’ trust this winter. He has allowed one run on four hits in four innings in winter ball with a 2.00 WHIP.

“It’s doable, it’s definitely doable,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said at the winter meetings. “If he comes back … and you could tell, when he goes on the mound, that he’s focused and wants to succeed, it’s definitely doable. But we’ll just have to take a wait-and-see attitude.”

Rondon’s 2015 season was cut short first by injury, and second, for “effort-related,” late in the season. In between, he posted a 5.81 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 31 innings. He struck out more than a batter per inning. He will compete for a spot in the bullpen in spring training.

By the way, the Tigers previously said Rondon was in better shape.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.