After going 49/49 in save opportunities for the season, Tigers closer Jose Valverde was recognized and awarded the Major League Baseball’s Delivery Man of the Year.
The award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher of the season, is voted on by the fans and is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball.
Valverde (2-4, 2.24 ERA) finished the regular season holding opposing hitters to a .198 batting average in a career-high 72 1/3 innings pitched.
“He’s done it all year,” Verlander said. “Sometimes it’s three up, three down. Sometimes you get a guy on second. There’s been a couple hair situations, but he always finds a way to get it done.”
- Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he expects CC Sabathia to be available in relief for game five. That is if the Yankees left-hander says he can go.
- Despite Sabathia potentially being available, Tigers manager Jim Leyland has already ruled out Justin Verlander coming in as a reliever in game 5. Leyland did however say that Max Scherzer would be available in that role.
Ref: Mlive.com, Sports Grind Entertainment (image)