Avila is out of the lineup for the second straight game Sunday against the White Sox. Avila typically gets the day off when a southpaw is on the mound, and that will be the case Sunday with lefty Jose Quintana on the hill for Chicago. James McCann will once again man the backstop in his stead.

Avila is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox. With lefty Chris Sale on the mound, James McCann will get the nod behind the plate for Detroit on Saturday.

Avila isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates. Avila remains part of a platoon with James McCann behind the plate. With the left-handed Francisco Liriano on the mound Wednesday, the Tigers will turn to McCann behind the plate. However, Avila should be in line to return to the lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Avila is out of the lineup Sunday against the Indians. Avila has caught the first five games of the season for manager Brad Ausmus, but will take a seat for a maintenance day in favor of James McCann. The 28-year-old backstop is a productive 4-for-13 at the plate to start the year, collecting six runs, three RBI and one long ball.

Avila delivered at the plate Monday, clubbing a two-run home run and adding a single to help lead Detroit to a 4-0 victory over Minnesota. The homer went 376 feet to deep left center to drive in Yoenis Cespedes and extended the Tigers' lead to 3-0 at the time. It was his first opposite-field dinger since the 2013 season. It looks like the hard work he put in during spring training -- trying to go the other way, staying inside the ball and making more contact -- might just be paying off. And that means he'll pay dividends for fantasy owners who can rest easier knowing he won't be hitting into the shift as much as he did last year.

Avila will start at first base Friday against the Blue Jays, MLive.com reports. Avila has only appeared in one career game at first base, but the Tigers will give him a shot with the goal of having a few backup options in case Miguel Cabrera is not ready by Opening Day. When asked about Avila's prospects of manning first base, manager Brad Ausmus did not sound overly optimistic. "I hope (the idea) does go out the window, quite frankly," Ausmus said. "Even if Miggy plays or we get cold weather, there's a chance his ankle gets grumpy, so it's just an insurance policy." Avila will bat second in the order Friday, as he competes with a number of other players - Andrew Romine, Hernan Perez, Tyler Collins - for a backup first base spot.

Avila was given the day of rest Tuesday, but will return to the lineup Wednesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. Over the past two weeks, Avila has been in and out of the lineup with a sore back, but he returned to the lineup Monday. He will be catching and hitting sixth Wednesday. Avila batted .218 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI over 390 at-bats last season.

Avila (back) is returning to the starting lineup Monday, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports. With three weeks to go before Opening Day, Avila should be ready to roll by the time the games begin to count. It's fair to question how much of a workload he'll be able to shoulder, especially since the Tigers have a viable young catcher positioned as a backup this season with James McCann.

Avila (back) is scheduled to catch Friday in Orlando, James Schmehl of MLive Media Group reports. Avila had been dealing with some mild back soreness earlier in the week, but manager Brad Ausmus dismissed concerns that the ailment was overly serious. Avila's scheduled activity Friday reaffirms that notion.

Avila (back) will not play in Thursday's spring training game, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports. Avila was removed from Wednesday's spring training game with lower-back stiffness, the second back issue he's experienced this spring. Manager Brad Ausmus indicated that he's not overly concerned with the latest ailment, so Avila will likely return to the lineup without missing too much time.