Hardy to see Dr. Andrews about left elbow issue

DETROIT -- Tigers left-hander Blaine Hardy's ongoing elbow issues will get a closer look from Dr. James Andrews. The reliever, who was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Thursday’s win over the Royals, will visit the noted orthopedic surgeon next week for a second opinion on his pitching elbow, which has bothered him at different points for the better part of a year.

“As you know, Blaine has had some issues obviously with his arm,” general manager Al Avila said on Friday. “He was available to pitch yesterday, and he has been pitching. Yesterday, we optioned him back, and he requested to have an opinion from a second doctor, which will be Dr. Andrews.”

Avila said Hardy will go on the seven-day injured list for the Mud Hens in the meantime.

“He’ll be evaluated by Dr. Andrews next week, and then he’ll determine basically his future, whether he can continue to pitch or will [Dr. Andrews] recommend something different for Blaine.”

Hardy underwent an MRI exam on the elbow earlier this season. He spent about three weeks on the injured list in April and May with what was called a left forearm strain. Though Hardy has been able to pitch through elbow inflammation, his versatility has been greatly limited. He has just five two-inning appearances since his IL stint, and he pitched on back-to-back days only once before pitching on three consecutive days this week.

Hardy also missed two weeks late last season with left elbow tendinitis.

Monroe honored

Long before Craig Monroe was an analyst on television, he was a young Tigers outfielder trying to stick in the big leagues. He learned a lot from veteran teammates about being a Major League player, but he also learned a valuable lesson from ex-Tiger Rondell White and ex-manager Alan Trammell on being a person.

“You have to be a good person,” Monroe told his FOX Sports Detroit colleague Matt Shepard on Friday at the Tigers’ Negro Leagues Legacy Luncheon. “Rondell White taught me this: Treat everybody the way you want to be treated. I’m talking about the grounds crew. I’m talking about the clubhouse attendants when you walk in the clubhouse. Treat those people with respect every single day. I took that with me, and it has never changed.

“I love people. I love making myself available. And when you talk, you get my undivided attention. I learned that from Alan Trammell.”

Monroe will be honored on Sunday with the Detroit Tigers Willie Horton African American Legacy Award, following in the footsteps of former Tigers Torii Hunter, Gary Sheffield, Chet Lemon, Lou Whitaker, Larry Herndon and others. But first, Monroe was the guest of honor at Friday’s luncheon, the leadoff act for the Tigers’ 17th annual Negro Leagues Weekend.

Monroe played six seasons with the Tigers, slugging 28 regular-season home runs and five postseason homers for the 2006 American League champions. He was a key part of the Tigers’ rise from 119 losses in 2003 to the World Series three years later.

“I got a chance to come to Detroit with Alan Trammell, and Tram gave me an opportunity,” Monroe said. “And it all starts with somebody believing in you and giving you an opportunity. And then it’s up to you to determine what you do with it.”

Miggy catches ex-teammate Delgado

The names pass by the home runs and hits leaderboard too quickly for Miguel Cabrera to keep up sometimes. When his 473rd career home run on Thursday tied him with Carlos Delgado for 33rd on MLB's all-time list, however, it gave Cabrera pause.

Delgado was Cabrera’s teammate on the 2005 Marlins. Both hit 33 home runs that season. While Delgado racked up 115 RBIs, Cabrera drove in 116. More importantly, the 33-year-old Delgado taught the 22-year-old Cabrera some lessons about the game.

“When you’re playing with a legend, it’s pretty nice,” Cabrera said. “He taught me about driving in runs, RBIs. That stuck in my mind for my career. I always remembered his approach when he had men in scoring position. He was great, because back in the days, he was one the greatest power hitters in the game.”

Quick hits

• Though JaCoby Jones had his left arm wrapped to help ice his bruised left wrist sustained on a hit-by-pitch on Thursday, the center fielder avoided the injured list. His status is day to day.

• Outfielder Christin Stewart remains on a rehab assignment with Toledo while on the seven-day concussion list. He entered Friday 1-for-11 with two walks and an RBI.