Jose Valverde suffered his first blown save of the season Sunday, coughing up a one-run lead in a loss to the Indians.

After walking Michael Bourn to start the inning and then watching him steal second, Valverde rebounded with a strikeout and a flyout. He then issued another walk to Jason Giambi, though, and Michael Brantley tied things up with a solid single to left field. Valverde owners will no doubt be thinking bad thoughts, but Brantley's hit is the lone base knock Papa Grande has given up in six appearances this season. He still has a good amount of job security at the moment.

Jose Valverde worked a scoreless ninth inning against the Astros on Friday, earning his third save of the season.

It appears that Papa Granda is back in full force. He did allow a one-out walk to Robbie Grossman, but it didn't lead to any further damage. He's looked very impressive through his first four outings. He's yet to allow an earned run, and just one hitter has reached base against him. He's secured his place as the Tigers' primary option in the ninth inning and needs to be started in all formats.

Jose Valverde is not available for Monday's game against the Twins.

Valverde has pitched on back-to-back days and Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn't ready to use him in three straight. Joaquin Benoit will pitch if a save situation arises Monday.

Jose Valverde tossed a perfect ninth inning Saturday for his second save.

Valverde struck out two and threw 12 out of 14 pitches for strikes. He topped out at 95 mph with his fastball and even mixed in a couple of splitters this time. While the decision to bring him back in the closer role caught many by surprise, he should be owned in all fantasy leagues right now.

Jose Valverde notched his first save of the year in the Tigers' 7-5 victory over the Royals on Wednesday.

Just like riding a bike. After failing to find a high-paying closing job this winter, the 35-year-old Valverde signed a minor league contract with the Tigers on April 4 and made his first appearance with the club on Wednesday night. Facing the top of the Royals' lineup, Valverde pitched a perfect ninth inning and even hit 95 mph at one point with his fastball. The Tigers seemed to tire of the veteran righty's high-wire act after last season, but desperation has brought the two parties together again.

Tigers purchased the contract of RHP Jose Valverde from High-A Lakeland.

Not only that, but manager Jim Leyland said Valverde will be his closer. There had been some conflicting information about when the fiery reliever would officially be added, but now we know that he'll be available for Wednesday's game and that he'll be used in the ninth inning. It's a surprise that Leyland is willing to throw him into the fire right away after a few games in extended spring training and High-A, but it's clear he never had much trust in Joaquin Benoit as a closer. Obviously, Valverde should be added in all fantasy leagues where he's still available.

Jose Valverde is expected to be added to the Tigers' roster as soon as Friday.

Valverde was spotted on a flight to Detroit on Tuesday afternoon, but it will apparently be at least a couple days before he's officially added to the roster. The veteran reliever looked good in extended spring training and in the lower minors, but he'll have to prove himself in a middle relief role first before he receives any consideration for the ninth inning.

Jose Valverde is expected to join the Tigers' bullpen within the next couple of days.

Valverde was spotted on a flight to Detroit on Tuesday afternoon and could be added to the major league roster as early as Wednesday. The veteran right-hander will have to first prove himself in a middle relief role before being considered for save opportunities. Joaquin Benoit remains the Tigers' primary ninth-inning man for now.

The Tigers have assigned Jose Valverde to their High-A Lakeland roster.

Valverde was has been in extended spring training since being signed to a minor league deal on April 4. He should be promoted up to Triple-A and then to the majors before too long. The embattled reliever could be an option at closer eventually for the Tigers.

Jose Valverde tossed another scoreless inning on Wednesday afternoon in an extended spring training game.

Valverde is expected to report to High-A Lakeland at some point this weekend and could be promoted to Triple-A Toledo by the middle of next week. The 35-year-old right-hander signed a minor league contract with the Tigers on April 4 and might eventually become a ninth-inning option in Detroit. He's worth a stash in deep leagues.

Jose Valverde will begin pitching for High-A Lakeland later this week if Wednesday's bullpen session goes fine.

Valverde is reportedly throwing in the low- to mid-90s with a good splitter, though he's yet to face hitters other than a few extended spring training innings. He doesn't figure to be in the minors long before the Tigers add him to their bullpen. He's worthy of stashing in fantasy leagues if you're looking for saves.

Jose Valverde struck out four over two perfect innings Monday in an extended spring training game.

Valverde tossed a hitless inning in his first extended spring game last Friday. It shouldn't be long before he joins Triple-A Toledo and he could eventually be an option for the major league bullpen. Fantasy owners desperate for saves should consider stashing him.

Jose Valverde tossed a hitless inning Friday in an extended spring training game.

Valverde, who returned to the Tigers last week on a minor league deal deal, struck out two and walked one. He'll likely soon head to Triple-A Toledo to test himself against advanced competition. The 35-year-old can opt out of his contract if he isn't added to the major league roster by May 5. There's a chance that he could figure into the closer role again, but Tigers manager Jim Leyland is giving Joaquin Benoit a shot right now.

Jose Valverde has reported to the Tigers' spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida.

Valverde recently returned to the Tigers' on a minor league deal and is expected to pitch in an extended spring training game later this week. He'll likely move on to Triple-A Toledo from there. The 35-year-old has the ability to opt out of his minor league deal on May 5 if he isn't added to the major league roster.

Tigers signed RHP Jose Valverde to a minor league contract.

The Tigers said all offseason that they had no interest in bringing Valverde back, but they've struggled to find a ninth-inning solution and the deal comes with very little risk. Valverde will do some throwing at the Tigers' spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida before joining Triple-A Toledo. If he pitches well for the Mud Hens, he could climb back onto Detroit's 25-man roster. The 35-year-old may be a decent stash in deeper fantasy leagues.

Agent Scott Boras said Thursday that his client, Jose Valverde, has thrown bullpen sessions for scouts from multiple teams in recent days.

He's scheduled to throw for a couple more teams in the coming days. Boras wouldn't reveal which teams have scouted Valverde, but he expects the animated reliever to find a club soon. "Our plan was to wait and see what closer options availed themselves at this time," Boras said. Valverde's former team, the Tigers, are not expected to have interest in him, despite the fact that they will go into the season with a closer by committee.

Jose Valverde's agent, Scott Boras, said Monday that his client has dropped 18 pounds this offseason.

Boras also said that Valverde is hitting 95 mph in his bullpen workouts. The veteran right-hander has struggled to attract interest from teams this winter after looking rough in last year's playoffs. The Tigers have stated that they have no plans to bring him back.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Monday that re-signing Jose Valverde is still "not in the picture."

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Saturday that Leyland was pushing for the Tigers to bring back Valverde, but Leyland insisted Monday morning that he has had no discussions on the topic with the Detroit front office. Bruce Rondon has been a mess so far in camp, but the Tigers seem committed to filling the vacant closer role from within. Valverde's free agency rolls on.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Tigers "remain interested" in bringing back Jose Valverde.

Jose Valverde will not pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic due to a personal issue.

Valverde had been hoping to use the WBC to audition for a job somewhere, but that's now out the window. It's beginning to look like the charismatic reliever will still be unemployed when the season begins.