A Triple-A baseball manager for the Detroit Tigers organization has been dismissed from his position after acknowledging he sent an inappropriate text message to a female coworker.
Detroit’s front office announced on Tuesday that Gabe Alvarez was terminated due to what officials described as a “violation of club policy,” though they declined to provide specific details about the infraction.
Speaking to ESPN on Wednesday, Alvarez explained that he had sent “a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke.”
“Shortly after sending it, I recognized that the message was inappropriate and did not reflect the values and judgment I strive to uphold, and I immediately reached out to clarify my intent,” Alvarez stated.
“I never intended to cause discomfort or offense, and I regret that the message created this situation. This was an isolated incident and not reflective of my long-standing record of professionalism, respect for colleagues, and conduct over the course of my career.”
The 52-year-old Alvarez spent portions of three major league seasons playing third base for Detroit and the San Diego Padres before transitioning to coaching at USC. Detroit brought him aboard as a minor league hitting coordinator in 2021, where he managed Double-A Erie starting in 2022 before his recent promotion to oversee Triple-A Toledo in 2025.
This dismissal comes amid broader concerns within the Tigers organization regarding workplace conduct. Last September, The Athletic published findings showing that Detroit had at least eight staff members facing allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women during a two-year period. That investigation spanned from April 2025 and involved interviews with 45 current and former personnel, plus examination of emails, HR files, text communications and legal documents.
According to the report, six of the eight men allegedly involved in harassment and abuse were either fired or not offered contract renewals, while another received a suspension following The Athletic’s inquiry about the accusations.
At the time, the organization released a statement emphasizing its “commitment to a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion.”
With Alvarez’s departure, hitting coach Mike Hessman has stepped into the interim manager role. Speaking to media in Toledo on Tuesday, Hessman indicated the team’s focus remains on baseball despite the recent upheaval.
“There will be questions, we don’t have a lot of answers,” Hessman remarked. “Main message is getting back to baseball. Things happen throughout a season. … One hurdle we’ll jump over.”
