The Tigers have announced that reliever Al Alburquerque had elbow surgery Thursday performed by famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
Here is what the Tigers’ press release said was done…
“Alburquerque underwent a surgical procedure to have a screw inserted into his olecranon to stabilize a non-displaced stress fracture in his right elbow.”
Alburquerque reportedly won’t be able to throw for three months and is working towards a late spring return. The Tigers said they are hopeful he will be back by the “All-Star Break of 2012”.
The Tigers seemingly can afford the half season loss of Alburquerque since they acquired veteran right hander Octavio Dotel this month. Dotel is expected to proceed Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde in the later innings.
However, losing a young arm like Alburquerque for any considerable amount of time is never a good thing.
Ref: CBS Sports, Twitter, BlessYouBoys.com (image)