Avila is for Thursday's game against the Royals. It's odd to see Avila out of the lineup for a second straight game, but Wednesday's contest against the Twins was a day game after a night game, and the Tigers are now facing left-handed Danny Duffy on Thursday. It's also possible the Tigers are just sticking with the hot hand, after backup catcher James McCann went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's game. Avila is in no immediate danger of losing his starting job, as this is far from the first time he's suffered through a prolonged slump in a Detroit uniform.