White Sox catcher Alex Avila suffers hamstring injury

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The White Sox are in need of another catcher as Alex Avila is headed for the disabled list with a right hamstring strain.

Avila exited Tuesday’s contest early and said he’ll take an MRI on Wednesday. But both he and the White Sox already know Avila will require a second DL stint.

Avila -- who was hitting .236/.362/.358 with six RBIs in 149 plate appearances this season -- also went on the DL in April with a hamstring strain. The veteran injured himself during a fourth-inning at-bat and was replaced by Dioner Navarro in the sixth.

“I could tell right away,” Avila said. “Thought maybe it was more of a cramp. Went out to catch the next inning and going through that inning, I knew that I’d got it just like earlier. Get an MRI in the morning and see the severity.”

Same as before, Navarro will handle the bulk of the duties. Navarro played all but two games in Avila’s absence and produced a .768 OPS with eight RBIs in 52 plate appearances.

“It is what it is,” Navarro said. “It’s all part of the game. I’ve been there. I know what he’s going through. I’ve been in the same exact position. Just fast recovery and be back soon.”

Catching depth is yet another area where the White Sox are extremely thin.

Kevan Smith injured his back in April and has only played one Triple-A game since. The team also brought catcher Hector Sanchez to spring training and added him to the 40-man once Smith was injured. Sanchez, who had no minor-league options left, was exposed to waivers and claimed by the San Diego Padres on May 11 when Avila came off the DL.

Triple-A catcher Omar Narvaez and Double-A catcher Alfredo Gonzalez, who is on the 40-man roster after he was acquired from the Houston Astros on Saturday, are the team’s top options.

Avila has never experienced hamstring problems before and said it’s frustrating. But he hopes this instant is like the last and he only needs 15 days.

“Just try to get it healed as quickly as possible,” Avila said. “I haven’t since I came off the DL, I haven’t had any issues whatsoever. It’s definitely a little frustrating and a little strange.”

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