Tigers say they'll count on Valverde

MLB • Struggling closer says he's ready to play any role.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Detroit • Jose Valverde threw a few pitches during Detroit's workout, then returned to the dugout as upbeat as usual.

Valverde's role for the World Series still isn't clear, but the right-hander doesn't seem to mind.

"I don't care. All I want is to be a champion," he said. "If I had to start, I'd do it."

Valverde has been Detroit's closer for three years and didn't blow a save through all of 2011, but this postseason has been ugly. He lost Game 4 of the division series against Oakland and gave up four runs in the AL championship series opener against the New York Yankees. The Tigers went on to win that game and sweep the series, but Valverde hasn't been used since.

The World Series begins Wednesday at either St. Louis or San Francisco. Valverde sounds confident he's made the necessary mechanical adjustments, and so does manager Jim Leyland.

"I think everybody's making too big of a deal of the Valverde situation. Valverde's going to be ready. There's nothing wrong with Valverde. He's going to be fine," Leyland said. "I got a kick out of it. Nobody wanted me to pitch him, but everybody asks me every day if he's going to be the closer. I don't know what they expect, but I'm going to just see what happens."

Leyland went with other options after Valverde's meltdown against the Yankees. Left-hander Phil Coke got the save in Games 2 and 3.

The more flexible approach to the late innings allowed Leyland to use Coke in crucial spots against a New York lineup that has plenty of left-handed power. Against the Cardinals or Giants, Valverde might be back in his old role. Aside from Coke, Detroit's top relief options include right-handers Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel and Al Alburquerque.

"Sometimes the biggest out is in the seventh inning or eighth inning, not always in the ninth inning," Leyland said during the series against New York. "That's why when you start going by committee, that's what 'committee' means. You say, 'This is the most important out I have to get. I will use my bullet now and take my chances later.' "

Still, Leyland sounds ready for Valverde to contribute again.

"To me, you've got to pinch hit in the National League cities, you're going to have to use your pitchers, so if you get behind, that's just the way it is," Leyland said. "I think he'll be a big part of this World Series."

Coke, meanwhile, has been in the spotlight more than usual, and he's certainly enjoying the ride.

"I don't have any idea what's going on. I just know I'm having a good time," Coke said recently. "And we have a common goal that we're trying to achieve, and the last thing I want to be known for is the one that didn't do his job." —

World Series schedule

(Best-of-7; x-if necessary)

All games televised by Ch. 13

Oct. 24 • Detroit at National League (n)

Oct. 25 • Detroit at National League (n)

Oct. 27 • National League at Detroit (n)

Oct. 28 • National League at Detroit (n)

x-Oct. 29 • National League at Detroit (n)

x-Oct. 31 • Detroit at National League (n)

x-Nov. 1 • Detroit at National League (n)