Jose Valverde vultured a win on Saturday when the Tigers came back in the bottom of the ninth against the Yankees after Valverde blew the save in the top half. That's Valverde's third blown save in 12 chances on the season, and it could've been much worse. Entering with a one-run lead, he hit Russell Martin with the first pitch he threw leading off the inning. After Dewayne Wise pinch ran and stole second, he walked Derek Jeter. Curtis Granderson popped out to center for the first out of the inning, then a double steal put both runners in scoring position with one out. After hitting Alex Rodriguez to load the bases, he bore down to get Robinson Cano to pop out. Just when it seemed like he would escape danger, he walked Mark Teixeira to tie the game. He simply doesn't have the dominating stuff any longer, and needs to improve his command drastically if he wants to have success.

Jose Valverde returned to action on Friday May 25.

Jose Valverde (back) will throw prior to Sunday's game to determine whether he'll be available. "Valverde is day-to-day, but he is going to throw (Sunday) and see how he feels. If he feels great, he may be available (Sunday)," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I doubt that. I think it'll be Tuesday in Cleveland. He's a gamer; he's a tough guy. If he throws and tells me he's ready, he may go (Sunday)." Valverde hasn't pitched since leaving Tuesday's game with a lower back strain. The Tigers haven't had any save chances while he's been out.

Jose Valverde is considered day-to-day with a lower back strain. Valverde left Tuesday's game against the White Sox with the injury. It's not a major concern, but he's likely to miss a day or two. Joaquin Benoit will likely serve as the closer in the interim.

Jose Valverde was lifted from Tuesday's game against the White Sox with an apparent injury. Valverde allowed two hits but had the White Sox down to their last strike before walking off the field with a trainer by his side. It's not clear what happened.

Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit are both getting the night off Monday. Valverde is unavailable after pitching three straight days while Benoit has worked in back-to-back games. It's not clear who would get the ball in a potential save situation, but Octavio Dotel is a strong possibility.

Jose Valverde was handed his second blown save of the season on Saturday after allowing a two-run blast to Adam Dunn in the ninth inning. After converting every opportunity he was given last season, Valverde has been very unremarkable to begin 2012. He's already blown two saves and has given up eight runs on 14 hits in just 11 2/3 innings for a 6.17 ERA. His leash is as long as any closer in the league, but if he continues to struggle the Tigers may be better-served giving Joaquin Benoit or Octavio Dotel a chance.

Jose Valverde had another adventurous ninth inning against the Yankees on Saturday, giving up three runs on three hits, and needing 31 pitches to get through his inning of work. Valverde hadn't pitched since Sunday, so manager Jim Leyland wanted him to get some work in during a 7-2 game. After surrendering an opposite field solo shot to Nick Swisher, he got Robinson Cano to fly out before walking Alex Rodriguez. After a Mark Teixeira pop out, consecutive RBI hits from Curtis Granderson and Raul Ibanez brought the Yanks to within 7-5. Finally, he was able to retire Eric Chavez on a fly ball to right to end the madness and seal Drew Smyly's first MLB win. Though Valverde has an extremely long leash on the ninth-inning role, he has not pitched well this season. Fantasy owners would be wise to grab Joaquin Benoit as his handcuff where available.

Jose Valverde picked up his first save with a perfect ninth Tuesday against the Rays. Valverde will just have to start a new save streak after blowing his first chance on Opening Day. He was feeling under the weather over the weekend, which is probably why he didn't get into the crazy game Sunday that the Tigers won in 12 innings.

Tigers exercised RHP Jose Valverde contract option for 2012. It was a foregone conclusion. Valverde often makes things interesting, but after he went 49-for-49 in save chances for the Tigers this season, they had little choice but to bring the closer back in 2012. He'll make $9 million next year before becoming a free agent next offseason.