Detroit Tigers’ Alex Avila comes off Disabled List – MLB Update
According to a leading sports website, Detroit Tigers’ Manager Jim Leyland is a relieved man these days. Catcher Alex Avila, who was placed on the Disabled List due to a hamstring injury, is back into the starting lineup for the Tigers.
Avila is a key member of the 25 man roster and he made a significant contribution in Tigers’ American League Central Division winning campaign last season. According to sources, Avila hit a couple of deep fly balls on his two appearances at the plate before
backup catcher Gerald Laird replaced him in the sixth inning.
Tigers’ disabled list is crowded at the moment with several important players fighting with injuries. Outfielder Austin Jackson, who is an extremely talented hitter, has been seen working out in the batting cage but the management has not made any official
announcement on his availability as yet. Austin is suffering an abdominal pull for the last three weeks.
"Oh, we got a lot of people sitting on the bench now,'' Leyland said."We're getting pretty good news on all those guys, so I don't think it'll be too long.''
"I felt bad because Omir (Santos) had to catch three straight games and the guys really weren't familiar with him," Avila said. "I came in and got treatment yesterday (Monday), and I knew then I'd be ready. You're never going to feel 100% as a catcher, but
I'm ready to play. I haven't run yet, but I'm feeling better."
Santos also had a hamstring problem but he made himself available to play. Tigers’ pitcher Joaquin Benoit has made his way back into the team after suffering a shoulder injury over the weekend. In his absence, the Tigers lost to New York Yankees.
Leyland informed the reporters that outfielder Andy Dirks has recovered from Achilles tendinitis but he may not come off the disable list until June 14. Similarly, starting pitcher Doug Fister is also getting better and he is expected to make his way back
into the team on June 13. It will be interesting to see if the Tigers can change the course of their destiny with added bench strength.
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