After injuring himself earlier in the week while warming up, banged-up Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde is making progress and is hopeful that he can play catch on Saturday.
Detroit head athletic trainer Kevin Rand originally stated that he didn't think his closer would need a DL stint and continues to evaluate Valverde on a day-to-day basis. Mere days after the injury though, Valverde is anxious to put the freak situation behind him and move on with the season. "It feels better," Valverde told MLive.com's Chris Iott on Friday. "I'm going to try to play catch tomorrow."
Leyland will continue to roll with reliever Joaquin Benoit as his primary ninth inning guy while Valverde remains on the shelf, even if it appears as though the 2011 A.L. Rolaids Relief Man will be back on the field quite soon.
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