ALEX AVILA NEWS

LEADING OFF: Nats set to start short-handed vs Braves

The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting Atlanta after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus outbreak

APRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEADING OFF: Nats set to start short-handed vs Braves

The Washington Nationals are finally set to start their season, hosting the Atlanta Braves after their three-game series against the New York Mets was postponed by a coronavirus ou...

APRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scherzer, COVID-depleted Nats finally set to play vs. Braves

The Washington Nationals have held a workout at their stadium as they prepare to finally start their season

APRIL 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Likely out due to COVID protocols The Nationals are expected to be without Avila due to COVID-19 protocols if MLB clears the team to begin its season during the upcoming week, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post...

Impact Avila is among the nine members of the Nationals organization currently in quarantine because of COVID-19 protocols, though the club hasn't disclosed whether he's one of the four players who has tested positive or if he's merely a high-risk close contact. Regardless, his expected absence to begin the week will likely leave Jonathan Lucroy or Tres Barrera as the backup catcher behind No. 1 option Yan Gomes.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mad Bum gets opener for D-backs; Kluber is Yanks' No. 2

The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to open the season in familiar fashion: with Mad Bum on the mound

MARCH 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set for No. 2 duties Avila has gone 4-for-20 (.200) through eight Grapefruit League games with a double, a home run and a shaky 1:9 BB:K.

Impact He hasn't showed much at the plate this spring, but the Nats weren't expecting a 34-year-old with a career .235/.348/.394 slash line to become an offensive force when they signed him in January. Avila will give the club a dependable No. 2 catcher behind Yan Gomes, and it remains to be seen how the workload will be split between the two veteran backstops.

MARCH 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Soto, Turner, healthy rotation key for champ-to-chump Nats

Juan Soto and Trea Turner are expected to lead the lineup again for the Washington Nationals as they try to get back to winning baseball after tying for last place in the NL East

MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reunited after years apart, Max Scherzer, old batterymate Alex Avila get back to work Paired again with Avila, Scherzer set about correcting his mechanics after a down season, looking for a return to his usual excellence.

MARCH 6, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Ohtani fans 5 in return to mound; Harper HR on 1st swing

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons

MARCH 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alex Avila has experience catching Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin. And it shows. Alex Avila, the Nats' 34-year-old backup catcher, has caught ace Max Scherzer more than any other veteran.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

AL Central teams at the start of spring training

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catc...

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NL East teams at the start of spring training

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nationals add backup catcher Avila on $1.5M, 1-year deal

Catcher Alex Avila and the Washington Nationals have finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Heads to bench Avila is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Avila started in two of the Twins' four games since he returned from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but he may have to settle for more of a part-time role in the final week of the season. Minnesota brought back another catcher (Mitch Garver) from the IL on Friday, and he'll be behind the dish for Sunday's series finale. Ryan Jeffers is also still around as a third backstop.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hendricks sparkles, Cubs edge Twins 1-0 for 5th straight win

Kyle Hendricks tossed eight innings of three-hit, shutout ball to outduel Rich Hill and the Chicago Cubs edged the Minnesota Twins 1-0 for their fifth straight win

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins hit 3 homers, slow down White Sox with 5-1 win

Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano each hit a two-run homer, and the Minnesota Twins denied the Chicago White Sox a chance to clinch their first playoff berth in 12 years with a 5-1 vict...

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alex Avila goes on injured list as Twins face Tigers again Top pitching prospects Jordan Balazovic and Matt Canterino were added to the St. Paul site as Ildemaro Vargas was lost to the Cubs via waive...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Placed on injured list Avila was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back tightness Saturday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Avila saw an uptick in playing time recently with Mitch Garver (side) on the injured list, but he'll now be sidelined with an injury of his own. Willians Astudillo was recalled in a corresponding move and should serve as the backup catcher behind Ryan Jeffers while Avila recovers.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit's Cabrera puts 11-game hit streak on the line against Twins

Tigers, streaking Cabrera set for matchup against Twins

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Exits early with back issue Avila left Friday's game against the Tigers early due to a sore back, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Avila had battled back issues in recent days but was asked to start the second game of Friday's doubleheader nonetheless. He evidently wasn't ready to do so, as he was removed early on for Ryan Jeffers, who started the first game of the day behind the plate as well.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Avila (undisclosed) is back in the lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Impact Avila was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the White Sox and did not take part in the afternoon game Friday, but whatever the issue was has evidently cleared up. He'll catch and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Twins win 3-2 in extra innings, sweep Tigers in doubleheader

Marwin Gonzalez singled home Willians Astudillo in the eighth inning, and the Minnesota Twins rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 3-2 and sweep Friday's doubleheader

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits for first game Avila (undisclosed) will sit for the afternoon portion of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Impact Avila was removed from the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox for undisclosed reasons and remains out for at least one more game. It's possible he returns to the lineup for the nightcap, though the Twins did call up Willians Astudillo as the extra man for the doubleheader, which could indicate that Avila isn't yet ready to play. Ryan Jeffers starts behind the plate in the first game of the day.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Boyd scheduled to start for Tigers at Twins

The Tigers will start Matthew Boyd on Friday and the Twins are expected to counter with Randy Dobnak

SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Donaldson drives in 2 in injury return as Twins beat Sox 8-1

Josh Donaldson returned from the injured list with two hits and two RBIs for the Minnesota Twins, who backed José Berríos with three home runs and beat the Chicago White Sox 8-1

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS