Surprised that Valverde is back? You probably should be.
Valverde turned into a one-pitch pitcher at times last season even before his postseason implosion. But he’s been throwing the ball “extremely well,” according to Dombrowski.
“One scout said it’s the best he’s ever seen him throw the ball,” Leyland said, “as far as velocity and coming out of his hand.”
Dombrowski admitted that he was surprised at how fast the process worked, but he said the reason it moved at such a fast pace is because Valverde proved himself worthy.
“He’s throwing the ball very well,” Dombrowski said. “He’s thrown it consistently well for us. He’s throwing the ball 93 to 95, 96 on a pretty consistent basis, in fact a consistent basis. He has thrown the split finger. He’s in real good shape. His arm’s good. He’s been throwing the ball for us better than what he threw the ball last year.”
There’s no question as to what role he will be placed in. Tigers manager Jim Leyland was asked whether Valverde would pitch Wednesday night if the Tigers found themselves in a save situation.
“He would,” Leyland said matter-of-factly.
The Tigers sent Brayan Villarreal to Triple-A Toledo to make room for Valverde on the active roster and will make a corresponding move Wednesday to make room for Valverde on the 40-man roster.
| Date | OPP | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GO/AO | AVG |
| Apr 19 | DUN | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | .000 |
| Apr 20 | DUN | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | .000 |
| Apr 22 | CLR | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .250 | |
| Totals | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2.00 | .125 |
via Jose Valverde Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | Lakeland Flying Tigers Stats.
………..and nowhere is he more desperately need than in our bull-pen as our closer……..don’t look the gift horse in the mouth……our relief staff is turning into a horror show and this guy has the stones to snap them out of it before an implosion happens!……welcome back PaPa!!, they never should have doubted you for a minute!