Veteran reliever Jose Valverde, who’s been pitching at Triple-A for the Nationals, is now a free agent after asking for and being granted his release.
Valverde signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals in April after opting out of a similar deal with the Padres during spring training. He pitched well at Triple-A with a 2.39 ERA and 21/3 K/BB ratio in 26 innings, but apparently the Nationals weren’t convinced he could help their bullpen.
Valverde averaged 38 saves per season from 2007-2012, leading the league three times and making three All-Star teams. He saved 35 games for the Tigers as recently as 2012, but has a 5.63 ERA in the majors since then and is 37 years old.