The return of Valverde

Jose Valverde in his return to the Tigers.

In Wednesday's post I commented on the return of Jose Valverde to the closer's role in Detroit and predicted it would be short-lived.

That night, "Papa Grande" picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning against Kansas City, two flies to left sandwiched around a ground ball out. Eighteen pitches, 11 strikes. Not dominating, and only one inning, but certainly nothing to send manager Jim Leyland climbing the walls.

The new two-tone goatee might, though. Blond on the right side, brunette on the left. Even though Valverde has apparently ditched his trademark goggles, he still knows how to make a spectacle of himself.