Al Alburquerque (elbow) declared himself ready to return to the Tigers. Alburquerque struck out the side in order in his latest appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo and reportedly got his fastball up to 95-96 mph consistently. He has now made back-to-back appearances, and is expected to be promoted when rosters expand.

Tigers activated RHP Al Alburquerque from the 60-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Toledo. Alburquerque has been making rehab appearances with the Toledo Mud Hens for a week. He'll continue to get in work against a lesser level of competition until the Tigers deem him ready to return to the big-league bullpen.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) has been moved up from High-A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo to continue his rehab assignment. Albuquerque gave up two runs over 3 1/3 innings but struck out nine for Lakeland. He shouldn't need too many more rehab appearances before rejoining the Tigers' bullpen later this month.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Lakeland. Alburquerque has been out all season following elbow surgery. He'll likely need several rehab appearances before joining the Tigers' bullpen.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) could begin a minor league rehab assignment this month. Alburquerque was scheduled to throw live batting practice earlier this week in Lakeland, so it sounds like he's finally headed in the right direction. The southpaw has been out all season following elbow surgery.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) has stretched out his long-tossing to 150 feet and, according to Tigers trainer Kevin Rand, will soon begin a "mound progression." So far, so good for the hard-throwing reliever. The Tigers hope to get Albuquerque, who is recovering from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right elbow, back sometime around the All-Star break.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) has begun long-tossing at the Tigers' spring training facility in Florida. Albuquerque is throwing from 150 feet, and if he continues to be progress should be cleared to throw off a mound before long. The Tigers are hoping to get the hard-throwing reliever back around the All-Star break.

Tigers transferred RHP Al Alburquerque from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Alburquerque is currently working his way back from right elbow surgery and is unlikely to return to the majors until July.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program Wednesday after a checkup. Alburquerque will play catch from a distance of 60 feet every other day for the next two weeks before eventually progressing to long toss. Then come the bullpen sessions. He underwent elbow surgery in December and is unlikely to join the Detroit bullpen until mid-July.

Al Albuquerque (elbow surgery) is scheduled to begin a throwing program this week. The 25-year-old right-hander underwent elbow surgery in December. He posted a stellar 1.87 ERA in 43 1/3 innings last year as a rookie and will be sorely missed in the first half of the 2012 campaign. The Tigers aren't expecting him back until July.