Mike Fiers shared details of the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing tactics with his new Detroit Tigers teammates when he joined the club in 2018, according to a report Tuesday in The Athletic.

The 34-year-old pitcher, now with the Oakland Athletics, spoke to the website about the system the Astros used to swipe signs when he pitched there during the 2017 season.

Fiers was non-tendered by the Astros after the season and signed a free-agent contract with the Tigers. He was traded to the Athletics late in the 2018 season, but not before sharing details of the Astros’ system with his teammates.

“We had a lot of young guys with Detroit (in 2018) trying to make a name and establish themselves. I wanted to help them out and say, ‘Hey, this stuff really does go on. Just be prepared,'” Fiers told The Athletic.

The article cited four people who were with the Astros in 2017, but only Fiers was willing to be quoted by name.

He described a system in which the team installed a television a few steps from the home dugout in a tunnel at Minute Maid Park. Someone banged on a trash can to advise hitters what pitch was coming.

Sign-stealing is rampant in baseball, but using electronic means to steal the signs is against league rules. The league has taken steps to crack down on the practice.

The Astros won the World Series in 2017. They won the American League pennant in 2019 but lost the World Series to the Washington Nationals in seven games last month.

The full story is here and requires a subscription to the Athletic to read.

Astros using cameras to steal signs, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/rncm6qzXxw — Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 12, 2019

Statement from the Astros:



“Regarding the story posted by The Athletic earlier today, the Houston Astros organization has begun an investigation in cooperation with Major League Baseball. It would not be appropriate to comment further on this matter at this time.” — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) November 12, 2019

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