Tigers considering firing Brad Ausmus at end of season.

UPDATE: Tigers' general manager Al Avila issued a statement denying that any decision has been made to this point:

"I have stated several times since becoming Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager that we are evaluating all personnel, and know that includes the players, the manager and his staff, and minor league operations. In fact, I reconfirmed with Mr. Ilitch and Manager Brad Ausmus this morning that these evaluations are on-going and decisions in any of these areas will be made by the end of the season."

While no decision has been made to this point, it appears that Ausmus is very much on the hot seat as the season winds down. Ron Gardenhire has been rumored as a potential replacement.

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ORIGINAL: The Detroit Tigers will fire manager Brad Ausmus at the end of the 2015 season after just two years on the job, according to WDIV television in Detroit:

BREAKING: Tigers to fire manager Brad Ausmus at the end of the 2015 season. #Local4Sports Story: http://t.co/fv318CPnie

— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) September 11, 2015

The Tigers are currently in last place in the American League Central with a 64-76 record after preseason expectations were that they would contend with Kansas City for the division crown after winning their fourth consecutive AL Central title with a 90-72 record in 2014. The Tigers were then swept in the division series by the Orioles after at least making the ALCS from 2011-2013.

Ausmus' contract with Detroit runs through 2016, but according to a report at Bless You Boys, new Tigers general manager Al Avila does not want a lame duck manager next season and Ausmus' 154-148 record was not enough to warrant a contract extension. The rumors of Ausmus' job being in jeopardy had increased since the departure of former general manager Dave Dombrowski.

Among the candidates to replace Ausmus is former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, according to the WDIV report.

The Tigers have dealt with injuries to both Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez who have played 102 and 103 games, respectively this season. Dombrowski also traded away pitchers David Price and Joakim Soria and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes at the trade deadline, none of which has made Ausmus' job easier this year.

Regardless of the obstacles Ausmus may have faced this season, it appears that Avila and owner Mike Ilitch want to  take the Tigers in a different direction starting in 2016.