Anthony Gose involved in heated argument with Triple-A manager

The Detroit Tigers are looking into an incident involving outfielder Anthony Gose and Triple-A manager Lloyd McClendon, a source told ESPN on Sunday.

Gose and McClendon got into a heated argument in the dugout during the first game of a doubleheader for the Toledo Mud Hens on Saturday. According to The Toledo Blade, the argument prompted McClendon to remove Gose from the lineup in the third inning, replacing him with pinch hitter Jeff McVaney.

The 25-year-old Gose, who began the season as the Tigers' starting center fielder, did not show up at the ballpark for Sunday's game after not being in the lineup for the second game Saturday. Gose's personal items were not in his locker room after the game Saturday, according to the Toledo Blade.

The Blade also reported that McClendon would not discuss the issue when asked about it after Saturday's game.

Tigers brass is currently evaluating what to do next and will huddle with McClendon soon to determine the appropriate course of action and any disciplinary measures, sources told ESPN.com.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he had heard what happened but did not know the details.

"Anytime a player reacts that way to a manager, it's a concern, but it's certainly not anything that can't be dealt with or gotten past," Ausmus said.

Asked if this is the first time this has happened with Gose, Ausmus replied: "As far as I know, yeah."

After making the club out of spring training and earning the starting gig in center -- in large part due to an injury to Cameron Maybin -- Gose has had a tough year.The former second-round pick was batting .209 in 30 games for the Tigers before being optioned to the minors in May.

Since his demotion, he has struggled in Toledo as well, hitting .185 in 50 games for the Mud Hens.

Ausmus said he understood that there may have been some frustration at play in Saturday's events.

"I think you have to understand the human side, the human element involved, the emotions involved, and those struggles play into his emotions obviously," Ausmus said.

Prior to Saturday's incident, the Tigers signed veteran outfielder Alex Presley to a minor league deal. The 30-year-old Presley, who can play all three outfield positions, will likely report to Triple-A Toledo after the All-Star break.