Detroit Tigers to Activate Alex Avila Thursday

Alex Avila just moved on to Triple-A Toledo as part of his rehab assignment earlier this week.  Now, he’s ready to come back to the Tigers.  According to Matthew Mowery of the Oakland Press, Avila will be activated on Thursday.

Avila was placed on the 15-day DL back on June 6th due to hamstring tightness.  Thursday marks exactly day 15.  He has had issues with his right hamstring in the past, and he had to leave the June 5th game in the fifth inning when he re-aggravated the hamstring.  Jim Leyland took the blame for pushing Avila too much and allowing the injury to resurface rather than giving him the necessary rest.

Avila made his first All-Star team last year.  In 2011, he hit .295/.389/.506 with 19 home runs.  So far this year, he is hitting .250/.338/.429 with 5 home runs.  Each of his current numbers (BA, OBP, SLG) are below his career averages.

The Tigers drafted Avila in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.  He didn’t take much time to push his way through the minors and make his Major League debut.  On August 6, 2009 Avila made his first appearance in a Tigers uniform.  Since then, he has earned himself the starting catcher spot.

Avila’s return to the lineup means the Tigers will have to make room on the roster.  Gerald Laird may hit the disabled list himself, and that will easily free up a roster spot.  If he doesn’t, Mowery says Bryan Holaday will be sent down to Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers will be hosting the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow at 1:05 ET as Avila makes his return.

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