Alex Avila Placed On 7-Day Concussion Disabled List

Jul 30, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) hits a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After a lot of back-and-forth late last week – there was a possible concussion, a trip to the hospital, the announcement that he was headed to Detroit to seek treatment, the announcement that he was cleared to play, his being scratched from the lineup on Friday, him playing on Saturday – the Tigers have decided to place Alex Avila on the 7-day disabled list with a possible concussion.

"He was light-headed and (nauseated),” said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “I’m not a medical person but I guess that can happen. I talked to him today and he seemed fine but this is something you don’t want to fool with so we’re not going to take any chances."

Like Jim Leyland I too am not a medical person, but light-headedness and nausea do not sound good, especially for a player at a position that is prone to taking a beating. I’m not sure how/why Alex was cleared to play if he was exhibiting these symptoms, but giving him some time off to allow his head to heal is a good thing. Head injuries are nothing to mess with.

Bryan Holaday has been recalled from Toledo to take Avila’s spot on the roster and to serve as the backup catcher to Brayan Pena. Since Alex didn’t play on Sunday, this roster move can be made retroactive to Saturday, making him eligible to play once again next Sunday (at home versus Kansas City). Holaday will have to play at least once – there’s a doubleheader scheduled for Friday against the Royals – but I’m guessing we’ll see him in the lineup on Wednesday afternoon against the White Sox as well (day game after a night game and versus a left-handed pitcher).

In other injury news, Omar Infante played the entire weekend with the Toledo Mud Hens. He’s expected to be activated soon, possibly even today.