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Jose Valverde

9/19/2005

Opening Day may be nearly 200 days away, but Arizona manager Bob Melvin says Valverde will enter the 2006 season as the Diamondbacks' closer. The 26-year-old righthander has converted his last seven save opportunities after inheriting the position from Brian Bruney during the first week of August. Valverde is averaging 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and has a 1.33 ERA in his last 35 appearances, going back to June 15.

5/3/2005

Valverde made his 2005 season debut in Monday's loss to the San Francisco Giants, allowing one hit and striking out a batter in one scoreless inning of work. The righthander, who had been sidelined since spring training with tendinitis in his biceps, was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in the day. Outfielder Scott Hairston was optioned to the minors to open a spot on the roster.

Valverde will serve as a setup man for closer Brandon Lyon. In 29 relief appearances last season, Valverde went 1-2 with a 4.25 ERA and eight saves, striking out 38 and walking 17 in 29.2 innings.

4/12/2005

According to Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, Valverde has reported improvement in his pitching arm over the past several days, and barring any setbacks, he could be activated from the 15-day disabled list within the next couple of weeks. The righthander has been battling tendinitis in his biceps since late in spring training.

Valverde has 18 saves over the past two seasons, but with Brandon Lyon doing a fine job in the closer role so far, Valverde will pitch in a setup role once he returns. In 83 career relief appearances, he is 3-3 with a 2.93 ERA, striking out 109 in 80 innings.

4/3/2005

The Diamondbacks have placed Valverde on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25. The righthander has an injured pitching shoulder and biceps muscle, but will be eligible to come off the DL on April 10. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee he'll be ready to pitch at that time.

Greg Aquino is still slated to be Arizona's closer, so even if Valverde comes back soon, his role will be as a setup man.