Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila exited the team’s game Thursday with a left calf strain, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports. Avila will go for an MRI, but he told Buchanan, “It will cost me some time.”
The 32-year-old Avila already missed more than a month earlier this season because of a strained left quad. When healthy, though, the soon-to-be free agent has enjoyed a productive season for the playoff-contending Diamondbacks. Avila, who hit his fifth home run of the year Thursday, has slashed .220/.410/.508 (135 wRC+) with a sky-high 23.1 percent walk rate through 78 plate appearances. Almost all of the lefty-swinging Avila’s trips to the plate have come against right-handed pitchers, as he has struggled versus southpaws throughout his career.
Although it’s a small sample of work, Avila has earned solid defensive marks and continued to throw out base stealers at a high clip (3 of 5) this season. The all-around package is one the Diamondbacks will miss if Avila has to return to the IL.
Primary catcher Carson Kelly – acquired in last winter’s Paul Goldschmidt trade with the Cardinals – has been a bright spot for the D-backs, but right-handed pitchers have manhandled him. He’ll continue to get the majority of reps, though, with either Caleb Joseph or John Ryan Murphy likely to come up from Triple-A Reno to grab Avila’s roster spot. Joseph is already on Arizona’s 40-man roster, while the team outrighted Murphy off it June 1.
What’s with all the calf and quad strains this year?
it’s because the balls are juiced
Must have pulled his calf during his home run jog around the bases yesterday… I think he got up to 10 mph.
Meanwhile… Avila will still be cashing in on his $4.5 million dollar paycheck and his injury actually protects him from being traded.
Any chance you guys think they fake theses fantom injuries just so they don’t get traded?
No
Well… I’m sure Avila will take his sweet time in recovery… he was a person the Dbacks could have traded… but like I said now he’s protected because of injury
Get him out of there. Several AAA players could do what he doesn’t do. Never understood why they signed him.