Surgery not being discussed for Putkonen

DETROIT -- Detroit long reliever Luke Putkonen visited noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday for an exam of his right elbow. Inflammation in the elbow has forced him to miss about a month.

Andrews' evaluation was essentially confirmation of the one the Tigers' medical staff had reached, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Ausmus said surgery is not being discussed as a possibility right now.

"Andrews looked at him and looked at the MRI and kind of saw the same diagnosis that was made before," Ausmus said. "So we're just going to continue treatment and rehab."

Putkonen's rehabilitation met a roadblock last week when he moved from Class A West Michigan to Triple-A Toledo as he gave up five runs in four innings with the Mud Hens.