Gerald Laird (hamstring) is available Thursday.

Laird left Wednesday's game after appearing to strain his left hamstring, but it was apparently just a tweak. The 32-year-old backup will avoid the 15-day disabled list.

Gerald Laird left Wednesday's game in the fifth inning with a strained left hamstring.

Laird tagged up and went from first to second base on a flyout but then walked off the field before the next pitch was thrown. He had a right hamstring ailment earlier this month. This one will likely result in a disabled list stint with Alex Avila due back Thursday.

Gerald Laird returned to action on Friday June 8.

Gerald Laird is scheduled to test his injured right hamstring Friday with a round of batting practice.

Laird hasn't played since straining his hamstring on Tuesday. The veteran backstop is hitting .300/.333/.480 in 55 plate appearances this season for Detroit.

Gerald Laird hit a double and scored a run in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners.

Laird is filling in at catcher for Alex Avila, who has come down with knee soreness and could be out a few more games. The 32-year-old veteran carries no fantasy value.

Gerald Laird is recovering well from a left hamstring injury that he suffered in an exhibition game Wednesday.

The hamstring is evidently more of a concern than the knee now, but it doesn't sound like either ailment will keep him from being available to play. He'll be ready to back up Alex Avila on Saturday.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that Gerald Laird (knee) is "fine" for Opening Day.

Laird sprained his left knee near the end of spring training when he collided with teammate Don Kelly. The 32-year-old catcher will back up Alex Avila this season.

Gerald Laird (knee) thinks he'll be sidelined "only couple of days."

"Glad I did not blow it out," Laird said of his left knee following a collision with third baseman Don Kelly Friday. He's been diagnosed with a sprain, and evidently no further tests will be required.

Gerald Laird left Friday's game with an apparent knee injury after colliding with third baseman Don Kelly while trying to field a pop-up.

There's no word yet on the severity of the injury, but it doesn't sound good. We'll update his condition when more is known. If Laird has to miss significant time, the Tigers will likely bring Omir Santos back from minor league camp or could pursue outside help like Ivan Rodriguez.

Tigers signed C Gerald Laird to a one-year, $1 million contract.

The deal was reported Thursday and has now become official. Laird is headed back to the team he played for from 2009-2010 before signing with the Cardinals last offseason. The 32-year-old batted .232/.302/.358 with one home run, 12 RBI and a .660 OPS over just 108 plate appearances this season. He'll back up Alex Avila.