Improving Avila still waiting to resume activities

DETROIT -- Catcher Alex Avila spent Friday's doubleheader around the Tigers' clubhouse, his condition improved from the concussion symptoms that have sidelined him this week. However, there was no word whether he'll be cleared to resume baseball activities this weekend.

Manager Jim Leyland said after Friday's doubleheader that Avila has not yet been cleared for baseball activity.

"Not bad, but not cleared," Leyland said.

Avila has to be symptom free for at least 24 hours before he can be cleared for activity. The Tigers didn't work out on the field Friday, staying inside for the day-night doubleheader, so the issue was moot.

Avila's Kansas City counterpart, Salvador Perez, can relate. He went on the seven-day concussion disabled list last week after taking a foul tip off of his mask.

"I don't ever want to go on there again," Perez said before the Royals' 2-1 win in the opener. "You feel like you can do nothing, just waiting, waiting and waiting. It's no good."

Avila went on the DL last Sunday, so he's technically eligible to be activated in a couple of days, but there's a medical protocol set by Major League Baseball that Avila must clear in order for it to happen.