Alex Avila, Third Baseman?

Manager Jim Leyland dislikes the notion of having to play six consecutive games in National League cities, which would limit his ability to have catcher Alex Avila and designated hitter/catcher Victor Martinez in the lineup simultaneously.

One solution he's toying with: putting Avila at third base.

"It's just a brain cramp that I'm having, a thought, to get him and Victor's bat in there," Leyland said. "I'm just trying to be a little creative."

It's not as wild as it seems.

Avila played third base in high school and during his first two seasons at Alabama. It was after his sophomore season that Avila shifted behind the plate, making the transition so well that Detroit drafted him in the fifth round in 2008 and brought him to the majors a year later.

Detroit plays at Colorado and at the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Friday. For the games in NL cities, Leyland has to give up the DH.

Avila took grounders at third at the behest of his manager, but with a loaner glove since he no longer has the one he used in college.

"If it happens, I may need to borrow somebody's glove," Avila said.

Leyland said, "I'm not even saying I'm going to do it. There are a lot of catches to it. I'm just thinking, wracking my brain, trying to create ways because it's six in a row. I hate to lose those bats."

The absence of Brandon Inge, out with mononucleosis, makes the move easier because the team is already going with backups at third base.

"Who knows what Skip will do?" Avila said. "It's tough to have to play six in a row knowing that myself and Victor aren't in the lineup every day."

Leyland says it's something he considers a one-shot deal.

Third base requires a different muscle set than catching, and that could lead to soreness that would inhibit Avila's ability behind the plate.

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