Al Alburquerque News

Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Al Alburquerque has taken the next step in strengthening his throwing elbow that he had surgically repaired in mid-December. Alburquerque started long tossing at the club's spring training facility in Lakeland, Fla.

It appears that right-handed reliever Luis Marte could be joining the Detroit Tigers soon, perhaps for Friday's game in Minnesota.

Pitching matchups: Indians RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Rick Porcello , tonight at 7:05; RHP Zach McAllister vs.

Who's hot? How about Prince Fielder, who hit .448 with eight RBIs and six runs scored in seven games this past week.

On Thursday, reliever Brayan Villarreal was recalled from Triple A Toledo. He has made two appearances in the last three games.

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote this article chronicling the early season struggles of the Detroit Tigers' bullpen.

Three days after pain cut short his bullpen session, Tigers reliever Daniel Schlereth is headed to Colorado for more extensive tests on his ailing left shoulder.

In that year, the Tigers had brought in a bunch of high-priced, highly talented players and were just a year and a half removed from a World Series appearance.

Drew Smyly has 29 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched and has allowed five earned runs in five starts this season.

OCTOBER 04: Al Alburquerque #62 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the eighth inning of Game Four of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park on October 4, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan.

Who's hot: Drew Smyly picked up his first major league victory Saturday in a 7-5 win over the New York Yankees .

Jose Valverde hasn't looked very sharp this year and after seeing him come uncomfortably close to blowing a 5-run lead in the Bronx on Saturday, I doubt I'm the only one who is concerned.

The Detroit Tigers have fallen to .500 at 10-10 and have lost seven of their last eight baseball games, but it's not near time to jump ship nor to call for the manager's head.