Octavio Dotel (elbow) threw a bullpen session Thursday. It's the first time he's thrown from the bump since being shut down over the last week. Dotel will eventually need a rehab assignment, but it's not clear when it will begin. He'll likely return sometime next month if all goes well.

Octavio Dotel (elbow) has resumed throwing. Dotel was given medication and shut down for six days after Dr. James Andrews determined earlier this month that he had no structural damage in his right elbow. The righty will eventually head out on a rehab assignment, though it's unclear when that will happen. He should return sometime next month if he can avoid setbacks.

Octavio Dotel visited Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his injured right elbow. The bad news is Dotel still isn't feeling quite right, but the good news is Dr. Andrews found no structural damage. Dotel will rest for six days before attempting to resume his throwing program. He's out indefinitely.

Octavio Dotel (elbow) will not return from the disabled list when he's first eligible on May 4. Tigers manager Jim Leyland indicated Friday that Dotel will go out on a minor league rehab assignment at some point before he returns to the Tigers bullpen. Dotel is reportedly feeling better, but still looks to be at least a week away from returning.

Tigers placed RHP Octavio Dotel on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 20, with right elbow inflammation. Dotel has been dealing with the issue for the past couple of weeks, so the Tigers are hopeful that some extended rest will do the trick. Bruce Rondon has been called up from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding roster move.

Octavio Dotel wasn't available Sunday due to elbow inflammation. It's the same injury Dotel has been dealing with the last two weeks. The Tigers have yet to make a decision on if he'll be placed on the disabled list. Dotel has struggled with a 13.50 ERA in six appearances this season.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said following Tuesday's game that Octavio Dotel (elbow) is ready to return to action. Dotel hasn't pitched since Friday due to elbow soreness, but he made it through a pregame throwing session on Tuesday without incident. The 39-year-old right-hander has allowed two runs in four innings over his first four appearances this season.

Octavio Dotel wasn't available Saturday and won't pitch Sunday, either, due to what he referred to as "a little inflammation in the area my elbow." "Where did it come from? I don't know. Hopefully in the next couple of days, it goes away," Dotel added. The reliever will be re-evaluated on Monday's off day, at which point he could either be cleared to return or possibly be prescribed more rest.

Octavio Dotel surrendered three runs in his inning of work Friday against the Rays. Dotel is the lone experienced closer in the Detroit pen, which makes us wonder if Jim Leyland might gravitate towards him in closing situations early on. Still, at this point in his career, Dotel is best utilized as a matchup guy against right-handers. Leyland knows that, too; it was how he used Dotel in the postseason last year. It may lead to the occasional odd save for Dotel, but we'd take the younger guys over him.

Tigers exercised RHP Octavio Dotel's $3.5 million club option for 2013.