MELBOURNE, Fla. -- It helps that Bryan Holaday has seen plenty of Stephen Strasburg, going back to the pair’s college days when Holaday was catching for TCU and Strasburg was pitching for San Diego State.

But still, Holaday seems to be swinging the bat well against just about anybody right now, prior history or not.

His torrid start to spring training continued Saturday when he hit a pair of home runs in the Detroit Tigers' 8-4 loss to the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The 28-year-old Holaday has gone 6-for-8 with three home runs, two doubles and eight RBIs in four games. (His current slugging percentage? 2.125).

But here is where things become complicated. The Tigers signed veteran catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia this offseason, enticed by his pop from the left side of the plate. Meanwhile, Holaday is out of minor-league options, meaning he would be susceptible to waivers should he not surmount the odds and win the backup position outright. Given his performance this spring and the dearth of good quality catchers available right now, he would almost certainly be claimed. So the Tigers face the possibility of losing him for nothing or trading him.

What would it take for him to remain a Tiger?

“I can’t answer that question,” manager Brad Ausmus said, “because I’m not sure."

And Holaday is well aware of this predicament, though he insists he has drawn no extra motivation or sense of urgency to prove himself, despite the unfortunate numbers game he faces.

“I think I do a good job of managing my emotions and keeping myself in control, because you can’t control what happens," Holaday said. "So you go out there and do all the right things and hope it falls into place for you.”

Holaday, a well-liked and respected teammate, is not the only one hoping for as much. Veteran Victor Martinez said Holaday is always one of the early arrivals at the club’s spring training complex each morning, busting his tail in the gym.

“He works his butt off,” Martinez said. “If you work, there’s always room for development.”

Work ethic and professionalism was never something the Tigers were concerned with, even when they signed Saltalamacchia during this year’s winter meetings.

“He’s been great. You never worry about effort, how much he cares. Doc always has his heart in the right place and his head in the right place, and he’ll outwork or work as hard as anyone,” Ausmus vouched. “That’s never been the question.”

If Holaday hit from the left side of the plate, that would change the conversation, of course.

“It’d be different, that’s for sure,” Ausmus said.

Holaday, who refined his swing two offseasons ago while working with Al Kaline, scrapping his big leg kick and opting for a shorter one instead, said he is adept at maintaining an even-keel when facing the reality of the business. He had a mental conditioning coach at TCU and still remains in touch with him for help.

Holaday may be raising eyebrows elsewhere -- drawing interest from other teams short on catching depth -- but he doesn’t think his performance this spring has surprised anyone from within the organization.

“I think this staff knows what I can do,” Holaday said. “I go out there and do my job, and it’s been going well right now. But I think they know no matter happens I’m going to go out there and do the same thing.”