Port St. Lucie, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Former All-Star closer Jose Valverde will be heading north with the New York Mets when the regular season begins next week, as the club selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Valverde, signed to a minor league deal last month, earned a spot on the Opening Day roster by posting a 3.00 ERA and one save over eight spring appearances. The veteran righty has struck out seven while issuing just one walk over nine innings.
The 35-year-old was released by Detroit last August after blowing 3-of-12 save opportunities and producing a 5.59 ERA over 20 games. Two years previously, Valverde led the majors with 49 saves with the Tigers.
Over 11 major league seasons with Arizona, Houston and Detroit, Valverde has amassed 286 saves and a 26-32 record along with a 3.19 ERA over 605 career games.
The Mets also announced they have re-signed reliever Kyle Farnsworth to a minor league contract, three days after granting him his release.
Farnsworth has recorded a 5.63 ERA over eight innings spanning seven relief appearances this spring. The 37-year-old also agreed to a minor league contract with the Mets in February.
[SportsNetwork.com]
