Detroit Tigers' Al Alburquerque Reinstated From DL, Optioned To Triple-A Toledo

It's been a day full of news for the Detroit Tigers, who are playing the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Detroit has announced that starting pitcher Doug Fister will miss his next start and the team will call up Drew Smyly, plus third baseman Miguel Cabrera was injured during Thursday's game. And now comes word that relief pitcher Al Alburquerque has been re-instated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to AAA Toledo.

Alburquerque was recalled from his rehab stint, also at Toledo. He complained of soreness last week but that was deemed to be not very serious.

In a related move, former Tigers prospect Thad Weber was claimed by the San Diego Padres. This created space on the Tigers' 40-man roster to add Alburquerque.

Alburquerque recalled from rehab assignment, reinstated from DL & optioned to Toledo. Thad Weber claimed by San Diego. #tigers — Brian Britten (@BBritten_Tigers) August 23, 2012

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Al Alburquerque Injury: Detroit Tigers Pitcher Feels Elbow Tightness After Rehab Outing

Detroit Tigers pitcher Al Alburquerque complained of elbow tightness after a relief appearance for Triple-A Toledo Wednesday as part of his injury rehab assignment and came to Comerica Park to meet with team doctors Saturday, reports MLB.com's Jason Beck.

Alburquerque pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Toledo on Wednesday and said he did not feel good after throwing 44 pitches in the appearance. James Schmehl of MLive talked to Alburquerque:

He alerted team trainers of the discomfort and was instructed to meet with a team doctor Saturday. According to Alburquerque, he was diagnosed with minor inflammation and no major damage to his right elbow was revealed.

"They wanted to see me and see if everything would be alright," Alburquerque said. "He saw me today and told me everything was OK."

Alburquerque is currently on the 60-day disabled list. He started his rehab assignment July 24 and can be on it until Aug. 24. This was his first reported setback.

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Al Alburquerque's Rehab Moved To Triple-A Toledo

On Friday, the Detroit Tigers announced that relief pitcher Al Alburquerque has had his rehab assignment transferred from Single-A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo. He had been assigned to Lakeland on July 24 in order to begin the rehab process.

Injury rehab assignment of Alburquerque has been transferred from Lakeland to Toledo today. #tigers

— Brian Britten (@BBritten_Tigers) August 3, 2012

Alburquerque underwent surgery in December to stabilize a non-displaced stress fracture in his right elbow.

He has yet to participate in a game in 2012 but appeared in 41 games with the Tigers during the 2011 season, posting a 6-1 record, 1.87 ERA and 67 strikeouts. He led all American League relievers with a .142 batting average against, 4.36 hits per nine innings and 13.92 strikeouts per nine innings.

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Al Alburquerque To Begin Injury Rehab In Lakeland

On Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers announced via the official Twitter account of the team's Director of Media Relations, Brian Britten, that relief pitcher Al Alburquerque will be assigned to Lakeland to begin a rehab assignment.

Al Alburquerque has been assigned to Lakeland today to begin an injury rehab assignment. #tigers

— Brian Britten (@BBritten_Tigers) July 24, 2012

Alburquerque underwent surgery in December to stabilize a non-displaced stress fracture in his right elbow with the insertion of a screw.

He appeared in 41 games with the Tigers during the 2011 season, posting a 6-1 record, 1.87 ERA (43.1IP/9ER) and 67 strikeouts. He led all American League relievers with a .142 batting average against, 4.36 hits per nine innings and 13.92 strikeouts per nine innings.

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Al Alburquerque Injury: Tigers Pitcher Still Not Ready For Rehabilitation Assignment

The Detroit Tigers were supposed to be without the services of relief pitcher Al Alburquerque for about half the season after they learned he needed offseason surgery on his throwing arm in December. Unfortunately, the half way point of the season has now come and gone, and Albuquerque is still not with the team.

According to MLive.com, Alburquerque was scheduled to throw some bullpen sessions in late June in order to allow the team to assess him and see if he's ready to get going with a rehabilitation assignment. Since then, the story has remained the same but no progress has been made:

Detroit Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Sunday morning that Alburquerque is scheduled to throw two live batting practice sessions -- the first one Tuesday -- in Lakeland, Fla., before his next step is determined.

"He just felt he needed a little bit more time," Rand said when asked whether Alburquerque had experienced a setback. "So we just instituted a couple of the bullpens in there for him. That's all."

Alburquerque was a good surprise story for the Tigers as a rookie last year, going 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA and a barrel of strikeouts.

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Al Alburquerque Undergoes Elbow Surgery

Al Alburquerque underwent surgery on his throwing elbow today. The Tigers issued the following press release:

Alburquerque underwent a surgical procedure to have a screw inserted into his olecranon to stabilize a non-displaced stress fracture in his right elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, FL on Thursday, December 15.

Alburquerque will be non-throwing for the next 12 weeks and he is expected to begin a throwing progression program during the latter part of Spring Training with a return to game action by the all-star break of the 2012 season.

Alburquerque appeared in 41 games with the Tigers during the 2011 season, posting a 6-1 record, 1.87 ERA (43.1IP/9ER) and 67 strikeouts. He led all American League relievers with a .142 batting average against, 4.36 hits per nine innings and 13.92 strikeouts per nine innings.

Alburquerque was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers last year, even if wild at times. Unfortunately, they'll be without the high strikeout guy for half a season and will need someone else to step up in his stead.