Alex Avila Injury: Updates on Tigers Catcher's Concussion and Return

The Detroit Tigers' already-dim chances of getting back into their American League Division Series with the Baltimore Orioles took a big hit on Sunday afternoon when catcher Alex Avila left the game with an apparent head injury.

In the sixth inning, Baltimore's Steve Pearce hit a foul ball that flew backward and ricocheted off Avila's catching mask. After attempting to shake it off, he struggled to regain his composure and exited from the game.    

Bryan Holaday was inserted in replacement, per Fox Sports MLB:

Unfortunately for Avila and the Tigers, Sunday's incident isn't the first time the catcher has had such an injury. He has suffered a concussion in each of the last two seasons on similar incidents of balls and bats making contact with his mask. James Schmehl of the MLive Media Group reported on Avila's status after the game: 

Considering the recent increase of awareness to head injuries across the board and Avila's status as a high-risk candidate, it's not surprising that the Tigers acted swiftly in removing their catcher from further danger.

Avila struggled from the plate in the series' first two games, going a combined 1-for-7 and striking out three times. However, he was 1-for-2 on Sunday before leaving the game.

Holaday, his replacement, has seen plenty of game time this season with 62 games played. But replacing a former All-Star and Silver Slugger winner in the No. 6 spot of the lineup will be no small task for a Tigers team looking to bounce back from an 0-2 hole.

Avila's .218 batting average this season has been far from impressive, but his experience behind the plate is crucial for Tigers pitchers. Should the Tigers stay alive through Sunday, they'll hope for a quick return from their catcher.