Quick hits

• Octavio Dotel, on the 60-day disabled list since late April with recurring right elbow inflammation, has been making progress on a throwing program in recent days and could begin throwing bullpen sessions again shortly, according to Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand. Dotel was throwing off a mound earlier this year when elbow discomfort stopped the progression.

• What was initially hoped to be a right thumb sprain for reliever Brayan Villarreal at Triple-A Toledo now appears to be worse. Rand said Villarreal will miss two to four weeks before he can resume throwing. With the Mud Hens' season ending on Sept. 2, a worst-case scenario could effectively make this a lost season for Villarreal.

• The Yankees released former Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch on Friday, creating space on New York's 40-man roster to add Brent Lillibridge. Boesch, signed by the Yankees in mid-March after Detroit released him in Spring Training, spent two months in New York before being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he has been sidelined since June with shoulder problems.

• Victor Martinez's diving stop and no-look toss behind first base last month against the Red Sox was selected as the top play of the first half by MLB Network.