Alex Avila

CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler tweets that the Tigers say they'll activate catcher Alex Avila from the DL on Thursday.

Avila hasn't played since June 5, when he aggravated a right hamstring injury. On the season, Avila is hitting .250/.338/.429. While that's not up to his 2011 levels, that's still good production by catcher standards.

Avila's return is timely, as backup Gerald Laird is listed as day-to-day after departing Wednesday night's game with a strained left hammy. Third catcher Bryan Holaday has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room on the active roster for Avila.

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