PT TOMORROW: AL Central—McCann to share catching duties with Avila?

Detroit Tigers

Alex Avila (C, DET) should return from the DL soon. Current backup Bryan Holaday (C, DET) will lose his roster spot, but how Avila and James McCann (C, DET) will divide the playing time is unclear. Rookie McCann has held his own, batting .254/.294/.391 while Avila has been out. His 75% ct% is higher than Avila’s ct% the last three years (66%, 61%, and 65%), but Avila has power that McCann lacks. Avila hit 11 HR in each of the last two seasons. McCann has 3 HR this year and only 18 total HR in four minor league seasons. A platoon is a possibility. Avila has a .256/.359/.433 career slash line against right-handers, while McCann is much better against lefties (.289/.347/.511). However last season Avila hit only...

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