Bruce Rondon was diagnosed last week by Dr. James Andrews with a flexor strain in his right elbow.

The Tigers had been labeling the injury as elbow "inflammation." Rondon appeared in only one game for Detroit after September 2 and may have to slightly alter his usual offseason routine. But he should be healthy by the start of spring training in 2014 and will likely be in the running to take over the Tigers' ninth-inning gig.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) has resumed a throwing program.

Rondon had a light session of catch from about 90 feet on Saturday. The hard-throwing right-hander has appeared in just one game over the last six weeks due to right elbow inflammation, but the Tigers aren't ruling out adding him to the roster should they reach the World Series.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Saturday that Bruce Rondon (elbow) still hasn't picked up a baseball.

Rondon has been battling elbow tenderness since mid-September and is highly doubtful to pitch in a postseason game this October. The hard-throwing youngster will try to get back to 100 percent health this winter with an eye on claiming the Tigers' closer gig in 2014. Joaquin Benoit is scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) has yet to resume throwing.

Rondon has been nursing a tender right elbow for a few weeks and will not be part of the Tigers' ALDS roster. Whether he recovers in time to join the roster later in the postseason if the Tigers keep advancing remains to be seen. "I feel bad," Rondon said, "because I wanted to help this team in the first round. Everybody dreams of going to the playoffs."

Bruce Rondon (elbow) is not available for Saturday's game against the Marlins.

Rondon's right elbow continues to give him trouble, and it's starting to look like he could be a long shot for the first round of the playoffs. He's appeared in just one game since September 2, and came away from that outing with renewed soreness.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Wednesday that Bruce Rondon's right elbow is "not good."

Rondon made his first appearance since September 2 on Tuesday night and fanned all three batters he faced, but the hard-throwing right-hander apparently woke up Thursday with renewed soreness. The Tigers also lost left-hander Phil Coke recently to an elbow problem.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) is available on Tuesday night.

Rondon missed three weeks with tenderness in his right elbow. He has a 3.58 ERA in 27 2/3 innings this year.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) threw a successful mound session on Sunday and is expected to return to the Tigers bullpen on Tuesday.

Rondon has been on the shelf since September 2 with tenderness in his right elbow. He'll return to a setup role in the Tigers bullpen in front of closer Joaquin Benoit.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) could be ready to pitch in a game for the Tigers by Tuesday.

Rondon threw a side session on Friday and will do a full-on bullpen workout on Sunday. He has been sidelined since September 2 due to tenderness in his right elbow.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) threw a side session on the field before Friday's game, taking a step closer in his return to the Tigers bullpen as the postseason approaches.

Rondon has been sidelined since September 2 due to tenderness in his right elbow. The flame-throwing rookie right-hander has posted a 3.58 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 27/11 K/BB ratio in 27 2/3 innings with the Tigers this season.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) had a successful long-toss session Wednesday but is still several days away from appearing in a game.

"It went very well; he was very happy," Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said. "At the end, he shortened up and let some balls go nice and easy and felt very good, very encouraged." Rondon is hoping to throw off a mound and use his slider this weekend. It's possible he'll make a late-season return.

Bruce Rondon (elbow) will try throwing on Wednesday.

Rondon hasn't pitched in a game since September 2 due to tenderness in his right elbow. He is hoping to be available out of the Tigers' bullpen again by this weekend.

Bruce Rondon is currently dealing with a tender elbow.

The issue has kept Rondon out of action since September 2. He might attempt to throw tomorrow, but it's unclear whether he'll be available for the Tigers this week.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Friday that Bruce Rondon will not serve as closer.

Rondon had some dominant numbers with Triple-A Toledo, posting a 1.52 ERA and 40/13 K/BB ratio over 29 1/3 innings, but he'll be used in the sixth and seventh innings initially. There's a chance he could move into the late innings if he pitches well, but Joaquin Benoit remains the best bet for saves in the Tigers' bullpen right now.

Tigers recalled RHP Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo.

Rondon struggled in his brief time with the Tigers earlier this season, but he's been lights-out at Triple-A, posting a 1.52 ERA and 40/13 K/BB ratio over 29 2/3 innings. He'll likely be used in low-leverage situations initially but could easily find himself working later in games in short order.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland indicated Tuesday that he would prefer Bruce Rondon to stay in the minors for now.

Rondon has an 0.82 ERA and 12/5 K/BB ratio over 11 innings since his demotion earlier this month, but Leyland wants to see more sustained success. "He's doing a good job, but that's the idea," said Leyland. "Don't get excited when they do a good job for three weeks or a month. Let him keep pitching." The hard-throwing right-hander should get another chance in the Tigers' bullpen later this summer.

Tigers optioned RHP Bruce Rondon to Triple-A Toledo.

Rondon allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in 1/3 of an inning Wednesday and struggled in two of his three outings since his promotion. He remains an intriguing long-term option for the Tigers but isn't ready to pitch at the back-end of games yet. Luke Putkonen will be recalled prior to Thursday's game to take Rondon's spot on the roster.

Bruce Rondon retired just one of the five batters he faced and was charged with two runs Wednesday against the Twins.

Rondon walked two and allowed two hits, including a triple to Aaron Hicks. After three appearances, he's allowed three runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings. It's possible the Tigers will send him back to Triple-A soon.

Bruce Rondon failed to hold a one-run lead in his major league debut Thursday, giving up a run on three hits in a loss to the Royals.

The Tigers turned to Rondon in the eighth after Justin Verlander had to leave with cracked skin on his right thumb. The big reliever was greeted with a leadoff single and eventually gave up the lead on a Lorenzo Cain sac fly. He also allowed a leadoff single to start the ninth and was then removed. It wasn't an ideal debut, and with Jose Valverde now in tow, Rondon isn't going to be seeing save chances anytime soon.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday that Bruce Rondon will likely pitch in the sixth and seventh innings initially.

It's not a big surprise, as the Tigers don't want to put too much pressure on the hard-throwing rookie in his first exposure to the big leagues. But it's realistic that he could work his way into the late innings before long and quite possibly get some save chances. Joaquin Benoit is Leyland's preferred option at closer for the time being.