Justin Verlander, starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, says he would embrace an openly gay player.

The 30-year-old Verlander was asked during an interview from Lakeland, Florida with CNN why the topic remains controversial in Major League Baseball.

“I think it's a tricky subject because you start getting in the locker rooms and walking around nude, or whatever, and I think that would be more of a tricky subject than anything,” Verlander said. “You know, your life decisions and sexual orientation I don't think that plays any affect in what we're trying to do as a team. So, I don't see why that would matter.”

“So, you personally would embrace a gay player on the Detroit Tigers?” Carol Costello asked.

“Absolutely. I wouldn't mind it.”

“I don't think one of our players would be scared to come out. You know, we got 25 guys, it's a family and their goal is to win a World Series. What your sexual orientation is I don't see how that affects the ultimate goal of our family.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.)