Sore knee sidelines Avila

By foxsports
Published

The slumping Tigers offense has another problem: Alex Avila has been sidelined by a sore knee.

Jim Leyland told the Detroit media before Tuesday night's game in Seattle that Avila will sit out at least Tuesday and Wednesday with patellar tendinitis in his left knee.

Knee problems caused Avila to hit just .073 in the 2011 postseason, and his struggles have continued this season. He's batting .250 -- 45 points lower than last year's All-Star season -- and leads the American League with four passed balls and 19 stolen bases allowed.