| 6/12/2013 9:03:00 PM |
Description: Detroit closer Jose Valverde blew his third save Wednesday versus Kansas City. | Insight: Valverde (0-1, 4.15 ERA) entered the game with a runner on first and a two-run lead. Papa Grande got the first two outs before giving up a long home run to Lorenzo Cain. The Tigers eventually lost 3-2 in extra innings. This is probably why the Tigers were reluctant to re-sign Valverde this past offseason. | | |
| 4/23/2013 8:20:00 PM |
Description: Tigers reliever Jose Valverde will join the team Wednesday and manager Jim Leyland says he will be the team's closer immediately. | Insight: Valverde was signed to a minor league deal earlier this month amidst turmoil at the back end of Detroit's bullpen. We expected him to have to prove himself in middle relief first, but the Tigers will go back to the winning formula from last season right away. Valverde can be erratic, but the Tigers will present him with plenty of save opportunities. | | |
| 4/23/2013 6:52:00 PM |
Description: Tigers reliever Jose Valverde is expected to rejoin the team this week, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. | Insight: Valverde was signed to a minor league deal earlier this month amidst turmoil at the back end of Detroit's bullpen. He could eventually regain his closer job if he gets off to a good start. | | |
| 4/4/2013 4:07:00 PM |
Description: The Tigers re-signed reliever Jose Valverde on Thursday. SOURCE: Patrick Reusse, 1500 ESPN Twin Cities | Insight: It's a minor league deal so this isn't a guarantee that Valverde will return to his old post as the team's closer. For now, Jim Leyland and company will continue to go with a closer by committee with Joaquin Benoit, Phil Cole, Octavio Dotel and Al Alburquerque all in line for save chances. | | |
| 2/17/2013 10:26:00 AM |
Description: The New York Post's Ken Davidoff says that the Mets haven't ruled out the possibility of signing free agent relief pitcher Jose Valverde. | Insight: Two years ago Valverde was a perfect 49-for-49 in save opportunities. Now he can't find a job. The Mets also worked out former Giants closer Brian Wilson earlier this offseason so it seems that the team isn't satisfied with its current closer Frank Francisco (23 saves in 26 chances last season). | | |
| 10/23/2012 9:51:00 PM |
Description: Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday that he has no definite plan on who he will use as his closer in the World Series, according to the Detroit Free Press. | Insight: Valverde was benched during the ALCS after blowing a four-run ninth inning lead in disastrous fashion in Game 1. It remains to be seen whether or not Valverde will return to the closer's role. Sticking with lefthander Phil Coke might be the better option for Detroit as Coke hasn't allowed a run in any of his seven postseason appearances so far. | | |
| 10/21/2012 11:25:00 AM |
Description: Tigers reliever Jose Valverde will be on the team's World Series roster according to manager Jim Leyland. | Insight: Valverde was benched during the ALCS after blowing a four-run ninth inning lead in disastrous fashion in Game 1. It remains to be seen whether or not Valverde will return to the closer's role. Sticking with lefthander Phil Coke might be the better option for Detroit as Coke hasn't allowed a run in any of his seven postseason appearances so far. | | |
| 10/14/2012 2:17:00 PM |
Description: Tigers manager Jim Leyland won't call on struggling reliever Jose Valverde if there is a save situation Sunday against the Yankees. | Insight: This comes as no surprise as Valverde has been brutal over his last two appearances including a blown save Saturday night in Game 1. Joaquin Benoit only threw seven pitches last night and Al Albuquerque didn't pitch at all so both will be relatively fresh for ninth inning work if a save situation arises in Game 2. | | |
| Cold | 10/14/2012 9:58:00 AM |
Description: Tigers closer Jose Valverde imploded in the ninth inning Saturday night against the Yankees. In 2/3 of an inning Valverde allowed three hits and four runs including a game-tying two-run blast off the bat of Yankees DH Raul Ibanez. | Insight: Even Ichiro Suzuki, who hit just nine homers during the regular season went deep off of Papa Grande. Valverde's ERA this postseason is an embarrassing 54.00. Jim Leyland may need to start looking for a more reliable ninth inning option if Valverde's struggles continue. | | |
| 10/11/2012 10:38:00 AM |
Description: Detrot closer Jose Valverde fell apart Wednesday night in the ninth inning. The fire-balling righthander gave up three runs on four hits in just two thirds of an inning, allowing the A's to walk off with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory. | Insight: Wednesday was the first blown save of Valverde's postseason career. He'll try to get back on track Thursday in the decisive Game 5. | | |
| 9/29/2012 10:19:00 AM |
Description: Tigers closer Jose Valverde (illness) is expected to be available for Saturday's game against Minnesota. | Insight: Valverde was not available on Thursday or Friday. Joaquin Benoit took over the closer's role in Valverde's absence and blew a save on Thursday. | | |
| 7/24/2012 10:36:00 AM |
Description: Tigers closer Jose Valverde (back) is expected to be available to pitch on Tuesday night. | Insight: Valverde has not pitched since July 20. He's accumulated 18 saves, but his 3.76 ERA and 1.30 WHIP are not helping fantasy owners. | | |
| 6/25/2012 11:06:00 AM |
Description: Tigers closer Jose Valverde (wrist) is expected to be available to pitch on Monday night. | Insight: Valverde has not pitched since June 15. He's accumulated 13 saves (blown three), but his 4.18 ERA and 1.50 WHIP are the worst statistically since 2006 and certainly not helping fantasy owners. | | |
| 6/23/2012 9:00:00 PM |
Description: According to Chris Iott of Mlive.com, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said closer Jose Valverde (wrist) might be available Sunday. | Insight: Valverde is a possibility tomorrow, but not a sure thing, Leyland said. The Tigers closer hasn't pitched since June 15 due to a sprained right wrist. | | |
| 6/21/2012 5:38:00 PM |
Description: Detroit closer Jose Valverde is dealing with a sprained right wrist and won't throw a ball for a few days, according to mlive.com | Insight: Valverde is not expected to go on the disabled list, and athletic trainer Kevin Rand said the Tigers don't expect the injury to be a long-term issue. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he'll decide who to use for save chances depending on the situation, so don't bother adding Phil Coke, Joaquin Benoit or Octavio Dotel. | | |
| 6/20/2012 11:11:00 AM |
Description: Detroit closer Jose Valverde is not expected to be available for Wednesday's game against St. Louis due to a sore right wrist. He injured it while warming up. | Insight: Initial reports are that it's not serious, but he did go for an MRI. Phil Coke closed the game on Tuesday night, but Joaquin Benoit or even Octavio Dotel could also see ninth inning work. | | |
| 5/22/2012 7:23:00 PM |
Description: Jose Valverde will be available to close Tuesday night against the Indians. Valverde hasn't pitched for the Tigers since injuring his lower back last Tuesday. | Insight: Valverde's ERA is at 5.51 and he's looked shaky all season. We'll see if he's able to convert his eighth save of the season Tuesday night in Cleveland. | | |
| 5/22/2012 11:45:00 AM |
Description: Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde is questionable for Tuesday's game against Cleveland with a lower back strain. | Insight: Valverde hasn't pitched since last Tuesday. He warmed up on Sunday, but Detroit chose to continue to let him heal. He's been mediocre this season despite seven saves due to a 5.51 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. Joaquin Benoit got the save on Sunday while giving up a run. | | |
| 5/18/2012 1:25:00 PM |
Description: Tigers closer Jose Valverde is questionable for Friday's game against Pittsburgh with a lower back strain. | Insight: Valverde said he expected to be ready for Detroit's series against the Pirates this weekend, but there has been no official word. Joaquin Benoit will likely serve as the closer in Valverde's place. | | |
| 5/16/2012 4:55:00 PM |
Description: Jose Valverde is considered day-to-day with a lower back strain. | Insight: According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Valverde said he expects to be ready for Detroit's series against the Pirates this weekend. Joaquin Benoit will likely serve as the closer in Valverde's place. | | |
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