Lynn Henning of the Detroit News reports that the Tigers are not considering re-signing Jose Valverde.

Members of the Tigers have endorsed Valverde in recent days, but Henning hears that "they haven't for a moment considered signing him." That might tell you all you need to know about his decline. The Tigers intend to give rookie fireballer Bruce Rondon a shot at the closer job this spring while Phil Coke and Joaquin Benoit are among the alternatives.

Jose Valverde will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

He'll join a talented bullpen which is also set to include names like Fernando Rodney, Octavio Dotel and Santiago Casilla. Valverde had a 3.78 ERA and 48/27 K/BB ratio in 69 innings last season and remains a free agent.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets aren't expected to sign Jose Valverde before the start of the season.

Martino notes that the Mets could eventually sign Valverde if the reliever doesn't catch on elsewhere during spring training, but that's unlikely to happen. Valverde seems unlikely to net a closer job wherever he lands, so his fantasy appeal figures to be pretty limited in 2013.

Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports that the door remains "slightly ajar" for Jose Valverde to join the Mets as their closer.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reported earlier this month that there was interest, and evidently the possibility remains. Valverde's market has obviously been slow to develop this offseason following an uneven 2012 campaign where he eventually lost his closer gig during the playoffs. While the veteran righty is probably miscast in the ninth inning, he's still a solid reliever.

Jose Valverde's agent, Scott Boras, said Friday that interest in his client is growing and that he has fielded calls in recent days.

This could be the case of Boras trying to drum up some interest in his client, but it is surprising to see him still unsigned this deep into February. While he struggled down the stretch and in the postseason in 2012, the 34-year-old right-hander would still be a solid addition to many bullpens around the league. He's unlikely to get anywhere near the closer's role though, so his days of fantasy relevance are likely over.

According to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, agent Scott Boras has denied planting a rumor suggesting that the Marlins were interested in his client, Jose Valverde.

"We did not originate that story," said Boras, who claims that the rumor originated from an ESPN reporter who went with the story before getting confirmation from the agent's office. Boras said there was "no motive" for him to plant such a report, because it could easily be refuted by the team in question, which the Marlins did. Valverde remains a free agent and will have to look elsewhere for an opportunity.

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald was told Monday that reports about the Marlins nearing a deal with free agent reliever Jose Valverde are "utterly false."

The two sides are talking, according to CBS Sports' Danny Knobler, but there is no agreement in place. Valverde, 34, registered a 3.78 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 69 innings last season for the Tigers. It was Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes who initially reported that a deal was close.

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, the Marlins are nearing a one-year deal with Jose Valverde.

Valverde will likely operate in a setup role for Miami in front of closer Steve Cishek. The 34-year-old right-hander posted a 3.78 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 48/27 K/BB ratio in 69 innings last season for the Tigers.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the Mets are pursuing Jose Valverde "to compete -- or more likely unseat -- Frank Francisco as closer."

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson didn't express much confidence in Francisco as his closer earlier this week, and it appears that he might find a replacement before spring training. Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Wilson are also on Alderson's radar, but it sounds like Valverde is his primary target. Rubin notes, though, that a deal with Valverde "would have to be on the Mets' terms... probably be akin to the contract to which Shaun Marcum agreed ($4 million)." Marcum can make an additional $4 million in incentives, and Valverde would likely have incentives in his deal for games finished or saves. He made $9 million with the Tigers in 2012, when he held a 3.78 ERA while notching 35 saves.

Now that Rafael Soriano has signed, agent Scott Boras said he expects Jose Valverde to receive more interest from teams.

Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday that he doesn't anticipate bringing Valverde back, and hard-throwing rookie Bruce Rondon is set to open the season as Detroit's closer. Despite a disastrous postseason, Valverde was able to save 35 games in 2012, and should be able to land a one-year deal as a setup man with closing experience.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said on MLB Network Radio on Wednesday that it's "doubtful" that free agent reliever Jose Valverde will return.

Valverde would prefer to close, but he's not going to get the opportunity with the Tigers, as hard-throwing rookie Bruce Rondon is expected to get a shot. Meanwhile, Phil Coke and Joaquin Benoit provide in-house alternatives if he stumbles.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday that he has no definite plan for who he will use at closer during the World Series.

Leyland was pleased with how Phil Coke pitched during the ALCS, but he hasn't handed the left-hander the title of closer. Former closer Jose Valverde reportedly looked good during the team's scrimmages in between the ALCS and World Series and could possibly get another shot in the role.

Jose Valverde will not be used if the Tigers have a save chance in Game 2 of the ALCS.

Manager Jim Leyland wants to give the struggling reliever a break, though he says he still considers Valverde his closer. "If I have to mix and match for a longer period of time, I'll do that," Leyland said. Papa Grande blew the save by allowing three runs in Game 4 of the ALDS against the A's and served up a pair of two-run homers in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the ALCS. Octavio Dotel, Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque are options for the ninth inning in Game 2 if the Tigers have a save chance.

Jose Valverde imploded in epic fashion in Game 1 of the ALCS on Saturday, yielding four runs on three hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning against the Yankees.

Valverde, who took over with a 4-0 cushion, allowed a leadoff single to Russell Martin to start the inning, then a one-out two-run blast to Ichiro Suzuki that pulled the Yankees within two. He then walked Mark Teixeira with two outs to bring the tying run to the plate in the form of Raul Ibanez. Ibanez slugged a split-finger fastball for a game-tying two-run homer to right, which may have ended Valverde's reign of terror as the Tigers' closer.

Jose Valverde blew the save when he coughed up a two-run, ninth-inning lead in Wednesday's loss to the Athletics.

Valverde had one of his patented meltdowns, serving up three straight hits to allow the A's to tie the game before Coco Crisp punched one through the right side of the infield with two outs to win it. Right fielder Asvail Garcia would have had a chance to throw Seth Smith out at the plate but couldn't field the ball cleanly. The Tigers will now turn to ace Justin Verlander for Game 5.

Jose Valverde slammed the door on the Athletics in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, retiring all three hitters he faced to preserve a 3-1 victory.

The Tigers' closer usually makes things interesting with a base-runner or two, but wasn't messing around in this one. He whiffed the first two hitters he faced then induced a weak foul pop up to first. If the Tigers starting rotation can continue to hand leads to the late-inning combo of Joaquin Benoit and Valverde, the Tigers will be a very dangerous team this postseason.

Jose Valverde picked up his 33rd save of the season in Saturday's win over the Twins.

Valverde hadn't pitched since Wednesday with an undisclosed illness. Joaquin Benoit had been filling in, but blew a save on Thursday, and will return to a setup role.

Jose Valverde returned to action on Saturday September 29.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn't sure whether Jose Valverde (illness) will be available Friday.

Valverde was unavailable for Thursday's game due to illness. Joaquin Benoit, who has pitched the past two days and blew a save on Thursday, is available if needed.

Jose Valverde said Tuesday that he has hired Scott Boras as his agent.

Valverde was previously represented by Proformance, but he has made the switch to Boras with free agency looming this winter. After going a perfect 49-for-49 in save opportunities in 2011, the 34-year-old right-hander has a 4.02 ERA and 48/26 K/BB ratio over 65 innings this season while saving 31 games in 36 chances. This will likely be his last chance at a big payday.