With two out in the ninth inning of an eventual 10-8 Tigers win over the White Sox, Detroit closer Jose Valverde was forced to leave the game because of an undisclosed injury. Later, that injury turned out to be tightness in his lower back. There's no word yet on when Valverde will be able to return to action.
Valverde opened the ninth by retiring Gordon Beckham and Adam Dunn, but then he gave up a single to Paul Konerko and a double to A.J. Pierzynski. In the middle of Alex Rios's plate appearance, Valverde was forced to leave. After being charged with two runs, Valverde's 2012 ERA now stands at 5.51.
If Valverde is forced to miss time, then Joaquin Benoit and Octavio Dotel will likely share closer duties.
