Height/Weight: 6-0/195
| Birthdate: 6/10/1986
| Birthplace: San Pedro De Macoris, DR
| Bats/Throws: R/R
| Team: Detroit
| College: No College
| MLB Experience: 3
| Salary: $500,000
| Owned/Started%: 5/1 | Average Draft Position: 270.46
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/16/2013) The Tigers optioned reliever Al Alburquerque to Triple-A Toledo late Wednesday after manager Jim Leyland said the right-hander has been "struggling with his control." Alburquerque has allowed a run in each of his last three outings, while walking nine batters in his last six appearances (5 1/3 innings).
Al Alburquerque shakes off hip issue
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque made his first appearance since Wednesday in Sunday's series finale against the Braves. After missing time due to a hip injury, he entered in the eighth inning with a five-run lead.
The right-hander made it through his first frame unscathed but put the first two men on in the ninth before being pulled for closer Jose Valverde.
Valverde was able to strand the runners and secure the 8-3 win.
Alburquerque struck out three and walked two while lowering his ERA to 1.54.
Al Alburquerque dealing with hip injury
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque labored through the latter part of his outing Wednesday against the Royals because of a hip injury. Alburquerque threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings for his fourth hold, but he left the game in the seventh after his hip tightened up.
"I was real suspicious when I saw him throwing to the last batter," manager Jim Leyland told MLive.com.
Alburquerque said he "felt something pinching me in the groin" on his right side but he doesn't expect it to develop into a "serious" problem.
"He got a knot in his hip. Fortunately, it's nothing with his arm," Leyland said. "I don't expect it to be anything. We're very fortunate."
Alburquerque said Thursday he feels he can pitch, but it seems unlikely Leyland will force the issue, reports MLB.com. Alburquerque has been one of the Tigers' top bullpen arms with a 1.69 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 10 2/3 innings. He also has 18 strikeouts.
Tigers' bullpen racks up 11 Ks in loss
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Tigers pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Angels, with 11 coming from relievers Al Alburquerque, Joaquin Benoit and Phil Coke. It's the most strikeouts for the Tigers' bullpen since it had 13 in an extra-inning game in Cleveland two years ago, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Al Alburquerque nets third hold
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque was needed for only an out of Tuesday's 7-3 win against the Blue Jays. But he earned his third hold after getting Edwin Encarnacion to ground into a fielder's choice.
Alburquerque has made four appearances and hasn't surrendered a run in 2 1/3 innings. He's allowed two hits and two walks, while striking out three.
Members of Tigers' closer committee among most added players
by Joe Polito | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) Detroit’s decision to mix and match relief pitchers instead of sticking with a “true” closer has members of the Tigers’ bullpen popping up in our latest Roster Trends. Phil Coke is currently the eighth most added player heading into next week, sporting a 16 percent increase, after he recorded his first save of the season Monday against Minnesota.
A little further down the list are Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque, who both saw their ownership percentage double for next week’s Fantasy rosters. Watch Nando Di Fino, Scott White and Al Melchior discuss Roster Trends live Monday through Friday at 12 p.m. ET on Fantasy Baseball Today.
Holding out hope for Al Alburquerque
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/28/2013) After already declaring Phil Coke the most obvious of the Tigers' closer candidates and Joaquin Benoit the one I'd most prefer to own, I'm not about to declare Al Alburquerque the next great out-of-nowhere closer in Fantasy, but I acknowledge he could be.
He's probably the most talented pitcher in the Tigers' bullpen. He's had some injuries, but his ratios are off the charts. In 49 career innings, he's allowed 4.3 hits and 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings, putting him about on the level of Aroldis Chapman last year.
I just think a manager like Jim Leyland would turn to veterans like Coke, Benoit and even Octavio Dotel before resorting to Alburquerque.
Al Alburquerque a sleeper for saves?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) The Tigers announced Thursday they will go with a closer-by-committee approach after Bruce Rondon was optioned to Triple-A Toledo. General manager Dave Dombrowski said manager Jim Leyland will mix and match relievers in save situations according to matchups. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Danny Knobler suggests Al Alburquerque could be an option to close games.
Alburquerque was limited to eight relief appearances last season because he was coming off elbow surgery. However, he was quite effective, allowing one run in 13 1/3 innings. He also struck out 18. The right-handed reliever is 6-1 with a 1.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 49 career outings in the majors.
He has no saves in his young career, but he's striking out 13.5 batters per nine innings. Alburquerque also has 18 strikeouts in 12 innings this spring.
Tigers to use closer committee approach
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) With the shocking announcement Thursday of Bruce Rondon being demoted to Triple-A Toledo, the Tigers will open the season with a closer-by-committe approach. General manager Dave Dombrowski said manager Jim Leyland will mix and match relievers in save situations according to matchups. While no particular names have been mentioned, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Danny Knobler suggests Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel and Al Alburquerque are all possibilities to get save opportunities.
Alburquerque back with Tigers
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (9/2/2012) MLive.com reports the Tigers recalled reliever Al Alburquerque from Triple-A Toledo Sunday. "The last report was that, the last time out, he threw as good as he did at any time last year," manager Jim Leyland said. "He'll be another option for us in the bullpen."
