Al Alburquerque fanned all three Astros he faced in relief Monday.

Alburquerque still needs to prove that he's reliable after missing much of last season with a stress fracture in his elbow, but he projects as the Tigers' most effective reliever. Whether that will lead to saves is anyone's guess, but he's something of a sleeper.

Tigers recalled RHP Al Alburquerque from Triple-A Toledo.

Alburquerque has missed all of this season following surgery to have a screw inserted into his pitching elbow to repair a non-displaced stress fracture. The right-hander posted a 1.87 ERA while striking out 67 over 43 1/3 innings last year and could eventually become a big part of the Tigers' bullpen again.

The Tigers will activate Al Alburquerque (elbow) from the disabled list Sunday.

Alburquerque has got his fastball up to 95-96 mph recently and is ready to help out the Tigers in the bullpen. He posted a 1.87 ERA while striking out 67 over 43 1/3 innings last season but has missed all of this year following surgery to have a screw inserted into his pitching elbow to repair a non-displaced stress fracture.

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.

Al Alburquerque (elbow surgery) is still a week away from beginning a throwing program.

The 25-year-old setup man is scheduled to undergo a CT scan next week to determine the status of his right elbow, which he had surgically repaired back in December. "We have to feel comfortable before we start moving him," Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Wednesday. Alburquerque is doubtful to be ready before the All-Star break.

Al Alburquerque (elbow) remains on track to begin a throwing program during the latter part of spring training.

Alburquerque underwent surgery in mid-December to repair a stress fracture in his right elbow. The 25-year-old right-hander is currently focused on shoulder and elbow strengthening exercises in hopes of getting clearance to throw by mid-March. However, he is expected to be sidelined until at least the All-Star break.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that Al Alburquerque has undergone surgery to have a screw inserted into his pitching elbow to repair a non-displaced stress fracture.

He's expected to start throwing towards the end of spring training but won't be ready to pitch for the Tigers until around the All-Star break. Alburquerque spent time on the disabled list this past season with inflammation in his elbow but was brilliant after returning, not giving up a run in 15 second-half appearances. It's a significant blow to the back end of the Tigers bullpen and might have played a part in their signing of Octavio Dotel.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said that Al Alburquerque struggled during his recent ALDS appearances because he didn't pitch enough in September.

"You see the stuff is just not as crisp," Leyland said. "The control is just not as good." Alburquerque missed nearly a month after suffering a concussion, giving him only 6 1/3 innings of work during the final seven weeks of the regular season. In the playoffs, he has yielded three runs on two hits and a walk while recording only one out.

Al Alburquerque returned to relief action on Thursday, tossing a perfect inning against the Orioles.

A hip strain had kept the young right-hander off the field for a little more than a week. The Tigers certainly will benefit from having a healthy Alburquerque in the playoffs. The reliever's ERA is down to 1.99, while opponents are batting only .143 against him.

Al Alburquerque could pitch Wednesday against the Royals.

Alburquerque hasn't pitched since September 14 due to a hip strain. "He threw a little bit today, and we're going to wait another day," Leyland said on Tuesday. "He's feeling better." Max Scherzer and Doug Fister are both scheduled to pitch on Wednesday, so the Tigers could decide to push Alburquerque back another day. Either way, they hope to get a read on his health in time for the postseason.

Al Alburquerque (concussion) is scheduled to throw a side session on Monday evening.

If it goes well, the right-hander should be cleared to return from the disabled list when rosters expand on September 1. Alburquerque has been sidelined since mid-August with a concussion. He has a 2.19 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 37 innings this season.