The Astros placed closer Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strained right calf muscle. The move was made retroactive to Monday, and he will be eligible to return on May 12.
Cooper originally said before Tuesday’s game that the team would reevaluate Valverde on Friday, (but) the team announced during the game that he would go on the DL.
Enough, apparently, was enough,
Valverde has attempted to close while injured three times this season, blowing a save while pitching with a back problem and then converting one of two attempts pitching with the calf strain.
Ortiz reported,
Assistant general manager David Gottfried, who is on the trip, called general manager Ed Wade to inform him that head trainer Nate Lucero didn’t think Valverde would be able to run until Sunday.
Valverde aggravated the injury Sunday fielding Craig Counsell’s sacrifice bunt.
“I can’t do nothing right now,” Valverde said. “You have to bring up somebody who can pitch. There’s only six pitchers in the bullpen. I thought it was what was right.”
LaTroy Hawkins would fill in for Valverde as the substitute closer. Link
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