The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that the team has activated right-handed pitcher Francisco Rodriguez, the closer, from the family medical emergency list. To make a spot on the 25-man roster for Rodriguez, the Tigers sent outfielder Tyler Collins to Triple-A Toledo. 

K-Rod will return to the bullpen for Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics after missing three straight games due to a family issue. 

Collins has a rough go to start season

After just two hits in 20 major league at-bats this season, Collins will head to the Mud Hens for minor league action. It probably did not help that he flipped off the fans at Comerica Park after the crowd booed him in center field for dropping a pop fly. 

"It has nothing to do with the other night," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He was scuffling, we had K-Rod coming back and we felt like we could use an extra pitcher for the foreseeable few days, at least through the weekend."

Middle finger situation 

Collins lost a pop fly in the lights and could never find it. After the ball hit the ground, Collins made an obscene gesture to the fans at Comerica Park. He was not charged with an error, but Justin Upton was after he failed to field the ball off the ground cleanly. The error allowed Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien to get on third base to open the sixth inning. Moments later, Collins flipped off the crowd.

"To be at home and to hear boos after that play hit a trigger inside of me and I lashed out completely inappropriately," Collins said. "I'm absolutely embarrassed it happened and I'm very sorry to everybody in Detroit."

The outfielder finished the game, which he tossed up his middle finger, 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. However, Collins was not suspended for his actions on Monday night, as reported by Jason Beck of MLB.com. 

What are the Tigers bringing back in K-Rod?

Rodriguez, who signed as an amateur free agent in 1998, has pitched 6.1 innings for the Tigers out of the closer role this season. K-Rod has four saves, but has logged a 7.11 ERA and 1.737 WHIP. He has given up seven hits, five runs, two home runs and four walks across seven outings. 

What are the Tigers sending down in Collins?

Collins, a sixth round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, played in just 10 games to start the season with the Tigers due to splitting games with Anthony Gose in center field. When he was on the field, the outfielder slashed .100/.100/.250 with a double, RBI and six strikeouts. Collins, on the defensive end, made 16 putouts and one assist without recording an error. 

So, what if Gose gets hurt?

If Gose gets hurt, the Tigers will go with Andrew Romine as the center fielder until Detroit calls up someone from Triple-A Toledo or get Cameron Maybin back from the disabled list.