Tigers relief pitcher Al Alburquerque, who was hit in the side of the head with a line drive during batting practice on August 12, is close to returning [via Fox Sports Detroit]:
"He was examined by Dr. Andrew Russman this morning," head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said. "He's cleared to begin all activity, which he's done today. It's just a question now of getting him ready to pitch."
Leyland anticipates that Alburquerque will join the Tigers on Thursday when the rosters expand. That doesn't leave much time for Alburquerque to face hitters beforehand, though. Alburquerque threw today, but hasn't faced any hitters in almost three weeks. If the concussion was good for anything, it's that Alburquerque was able to rest the nagging tender elbow he was experiencing weeks before the concussion.
Alburquerque had a 5-1 record, 57 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings before being concussed and hitting the DL.