Alex Avila returned to action on Tuesday June 26.

An MRI on Alex Avila's left knee didn't show any structural damage. Good news. Avila has patellar tendinitis, which is the same thing he dealt with down the stretch and into the postseason last year. It's a day-to-day type situation, so while he could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday, the Tigers will likely have to lessen his workload moving forward.

Alex Avila is out of Monday's lineup due to renewed knee soreness. Tigers manager Jim Leyland called it a "red flag," but we should know more after he goes for an examination on Monday. Avila missed some time in early May with a sore left patella tendon and dealt with soreness in both of his knees down the stretch last season.

Tigers activated C Alex Avila from the disabled list. Avila wound up missing exactly 15 days with a strained right hamstring. The 25-year-old backstop is expected to return to the Tigers' lineup for Thursday's series-finale against the Cardinals. He has a .250/.338/.429 slash line, five home runs and 20 RBI in 44 games this year.

Alex Avila (hamstring) went 0-for-2 and caught five innings Monday in his first minor league rehab game with Triple-A Toledo. Avila drove a ball to the warning track and struck out swinging in his two at-bats. The good news is that he reported no issues with his recent hamstring injury. Barring any setbacks, he should return when he's first eligible Thursday.

Alex Avila (hamstring) will begin his rehab assignment Monday at Triple-A Toledo. If all goes well, he could be activated when first eligible Thursday. Aliva was hitting .250/.338/.429 with five homers and 20 RBI prior to landing on the disabled list. He'll immediately regain his starting job.

Alex Avila (hamstring) had a good workout Saturday, and could head out on on a rehab assignment Monday. The team has said he'll likely only need three days on a rehab assignment before rejoining the team, and he's eligible to come off the DL on June 21. The Tigers are optimistic that Avila will be back in the lineup for next weekend's series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Friday that he hopes Alex Avila (hamstring) can return next weekend against the Pirates. Avila is eligible to return next Thursday, so that sounds about right. However, Leyland also acknowledged that a lot could change before then. The 25-year-old backstop was hitting .250/.338/.429 with five homers and 20 RBI prior to hitting the DL.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Alex Avila (hamstring) is "doing great" and will be "good to go shortly." It's a little vague, but Avila is eligible to return from the DL on June 21, and it sounds like he could be ready at that time or shortly after. The 2011 All-Star is batting .250/.338/.429 with five homers and 20 RBI this season.

Tigers placed C Alex Avila on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. The Tigers were hoping Avila's hamstring issue was behind him, but he aggravated the injury during Tuesday's game. No word yet on the severity, but it's safe to rule him out until later this month. Gerald Laird and Bryan Holaday will share playing time behind the plate for now.