Jose Valverde News

Detroit Tigers' Quintin Berry looks back for the call as Minnesota Twins shortstop Jamey Carroll makes the tag during the second inning in a baseball game, Sunday, May 27, 2012, in Minneapolis.

Detroit Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski has pulled off some pretty slick trades and surprising signings during his 11 years with the organization.

Max Scherzer struck out nine in a rain-shortened outing and Prince Fielder had his first four-hit game with the Tigers, leading Detroit to a 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday.

Although the Detroit Tigers are not any further off-pace this season than they were at this point a year ago, the excitement and expectation that were placed on a team put together to make a run at a World Series title is souring quickly.

The Indians dropped their final 10 meetings with the Tigers last year, a skid they'll try to snap in their first 2012 matchup Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

If momentum - the idea that one good game can lead to another and another, thus kick-starting a team - does exist, it's avoiding Comerica Park like the plague these days.

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has had his work cut out for him the past week while managing a shorthanded bench that has restricted his decision-making. But that should change pretty soon.

This is why Detroit Tigers manger Jim Leyland isn't worried about his starting rotation.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde exited last Tuesday's save opportunity with a lower back strain and has not thrown since his last pitch in the outing.

Before Tigers ace Justin Verlander nearly threw his third no-hitter Friday night, manager Jim Leyland had talked about the criticism being directed at his team.

Every week the editorial staff of SBNation's Bless You Boys discuss the week in Detroit Tigers baseball and answer questions from the Bless You Boys community.

MAY 15: Ryan Raburn #25 of the Detroit Tigers bats against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on May 15, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ryan Raburn misses an RBI single by Minnesota Twins hitter Ryan Doumit to tie the game at 6-6 with one out in the third inning in Detroit on May 16, 2012.

In the middle of another inept non-save appearance on Tuesday, Jose Valverde heard something 'pop' in his lower back.

Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde is expected to be sidelined for the next few games with a strained lower back.

Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays has been suspended for four games by Major League Baseball after he threw his batting helmet and it bounced off an umpire.

MAY 07: Andy Dirks #12 of the Detroit Tigers doubles in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on May 7, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.A DETROIT - Ever wanted to be served by a Detroit Tigers player? This Thursday, May 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Tigers fans have the opportunity to be served by Detroit Tigers players to ... (more)

Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde left Tuesday's game in the ninth inning and is considered day-to-day with a lower back strain.

The Dodgers had to place Matt Kemp on the disabled list yesterday with a strained hamstring , ending the outfielder's consecutive games played streak at 399, the longest in the game today .

UPDATE: After keeping Robertson active but unavailable for several days New York placed him on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle, leaving Soriano to close for the near future.