According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Tigers are expected to pick up Jose Valverde's $9 million option for 2012. No surprise here. There's an argument to be made that the Tigers could get more bang for their buck if they decline and try their luck in a saturated market for closer-types, but it appears Valverde will be rewarded for going a perfect 49-for-49 in save opportunities during the regular season. It's certainly not an outrageous sum, so hard to get too worked up about it.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland confirmed that Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit are unavailable for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Thursday. Valverde and Benoit have both pitched three straight days. Facing elimination, the Tigers are hoping that Justin Verlander and Phil Coke can get them to Game 6 on Saturday.

Jose Valverde served up the go-ahead RBI single and then a three-run homer in the extra innings loss to the Rangers Wednesday in Game 4 of the ALCS. He pitched a spotless 10th innings, but Tigers manager Jim Leyland pressed his luck in sending Papa Grande back out for another frame, as his closer had already pitched four innings over the last three days. Valverde has converted all three save chances this postseason but has struggled in non-save opportunities.

Jose Valverde pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out the win for the Tigers in Thursday's Game 5 ALCS win over the Yankees. Papa Grande said after the Tigers' Game 2 win that the series wasn't going to make it back to New York. It did, but at least Valverde did his part with an easy ninth inning to close out the one-run win, getting Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano to fly before A-Rod swung through a heater to end it. The rotund closer has now successfully converted all 51 of his save chances this year in the regular season and playoffs.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said closer Jose Valverde is available Tuesday night. Valverde has thrown 53 pitches over the past two days, but Detroit is entering an elimination game Tuesday at Comerica Park against the Yankees and Leyland wants his stopper available. Valverde was 49-for-49 in save opportunities in the regular season with a 2.24 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, all while averaging nearly one strikeout per inning. He has allowed two earned runs on two hits and four walks over two appearances against the Yankees thus far in the ALDS. It's worth noting that the 33-year-old compiled career highs in both games and innings pitched this year.

Jose Valverde told reporters after Sunday's Game 2 victory in New York that the ALDS "is over." "Oh yeah," said the Tiger closer, after helping his club even the five-game series. "It's over already. Verlander has it [Monday]. Next day, have the celebration in Detroit -- 100 percent. The Yankees have a good team, but I think that's it for them." Valverde made the remarks in a joking manner, but that won't matter to the Yankees or their fans.

Jose Valverde tossed a shutout frame on Wednesday to earn his 49th and final save of the regular season. It has been a thoroughly dominating campaign for Valverde: 49-for-49 in save opportunities, a 2.24 ERA, and a 1.19 WHIP, all while averaging nearly one strikeout per inning. The Tigers certainly kept him busy, especially during the last two months, when he compiled 22 saves in 28 appearances. Along these lines, it's worth noting that the 33-year-old compiled career highs in both games and innings pitched.

Jose Valverde earned his 46th save of the season in Sunday's 3-0 defeat of the Athletics. Valverde retired all three batters he faced -- one by strikeout, one by groundout and one by flyout. The 33-year-old right-hander boasts a 2.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 62/33 K/BB ratio through 67 1/3 innings this season.

Jose Valverde notched his 43rd save in Sunday's win over the Twins. Valverde made things interesting, allowing an RBI ground out before leaving the tying runner stranded at second base to end the game. The excitable closer has yet to blow a save this season.

Jose Valverde moved to 40-for-40 in save chances with a scoreless ninth Wednesday against the Royals. Valverde allowed a hit and a walk in this one, but he remained perfect after retiring Alcides Escobar to end the game. He has a 2.58 ERA for the season.