Ausmus says Avila sustained mild concussion
Ortiz's backswing clips Tigers catcher, who exits win over Boston
DETROIT -- Alex Avila wasn't going to fool Brad Ausmus into keeping him in the game.
As a former big league catcher, Ausmus is well versed in the signs of a concussion. So when Avila got clipped on the mask by a David Ortiz backswing in the eighth inning of Friday night's 6-2 Tigers win, Ausmus didn't need to wait for an official diagnosis.
"They're calling it a mild concussion, to the extent that they think he'll be fine tomorrow," Ausmus said after the game.
The first-year manager added that, regardless of how well Avila appears Saturday, he won't be playing.
Trainer Kevin Rand joined Ausmus in checking on Avila after Ortiz got him with his massive backswing, something he's prone to doing. Rand asked the catcher a few questions to test for a concussion.
"He didn't get one right," Ausmus said. "When I had a concussion, I remember being asked particulars about the game and remembering I had to look at the scoreboard to figure out what the count was, and look in the dugout to figure out who we were playing."
Bryan Holaday replaced Avila after the play and will likely be the starting catcher Saturday.