The foul-tip that knocked Alex Avila from the game caused a concussion, Alex Avila told media members after the Tigers’ ALDS Game 3 loss to the Orioles. Avila was knocked out by the blow, suffered from dizziness immediately and remained a bit woozy even after the game.
Alex Avila diagnosed with concussion after exiting Game 3
Bryan Holaday took his place in the Tigers’ lineup.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Via AP reporter Noah Trister:
”I didn’t want to come out of that game, Avils said, “but at the same time, I know (Tigers head athletic trainer) Kevin (Rand) and (manager) Brad (Ausmus) have to protect the players.”
This is Avila’s third concussion in two seasons.
Original: Having already lost time this season after suffering from concussion-like symptoms, Tigers catcher Alex Avila left Game 3 of the ALDS after receiving a foul-tip to his mask in the sixth inning. Bryan Holaday took over as the Tigers’ catcher. Current center fielder Don Kelly can serve as emergency catcher if required.
Avila has a history of head injuries. Mostly recently Avila missed a week of action in September after receiving a blow to the head while diving back to first on a pickoff attempt by the Indians Sept. 14. He did not return to action until Sept. 22. He also exited a game on Sept. 2 against the Indians after being struck in the mask by a foul-tip.
Avila said he suffered from the inability to track a baseball during batting practice even after the headache subsided. At the time, it was not known if he’d even be able to return to action. Avila told reporters, via MLive’s Chris Iott:
“In talking to doctors, the concern would be if I’m concussed and I continue -- instead of coming out or not playing, continuing to play and then have a situation where I get hit again or something like that while I’m still concussed. That’s where the concern really lies in with the doctors. Not so much I had one last year and I have one this year.”
In August 2013, Avila was placed on the seven-day concussion list and missed more than two weeks of action.
Holaday served as backup catcher all season for the Tigers, hitting .231/.266/.276, starting 42 games and catching in 58.
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