August 8, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Duane Below (64) pitches against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins claimed left hander Duane Below off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers earlier today. The move put the Marlins 40-man roster back at 40, according to Joe Capozzi on Twitter:

#Marlins claim LHP Duane Below from DET and option him to NOLA.40-man now at 40.

— Joe Capozzi (@joecapMARLINS) April 25, 2013

The Marlins will assign Below to Triple-A New Orleans, but he could become an option later in the season if the Marlins bullpen continues to struggle or if they need a left handed reliever.

The Tigers designated Below for assignment yesterday to make room on their roster for the recently signed Jose Valverde. Below was drafted by the Tigers in the 16th round during the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.

Below pitched in the majors with the Tigers from 2011-12, he totaled 75 1/3 innings in those two seasons. Below has posted a 4.06 ERA, 5.1 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and 43.4 percent ground-ball rate in his brief major league career. Below has posted identical numbers to both right and left handed hitters, despite being a southpaw.

Prior to the beginning of the 2012 season, Baseball America noted, “Below’s stuff is average at best, but he throws strikes and has good feel for pitching.”  BA noted, “He fits best as a No. 5 starter or swingman.”

Jose Valverde is on the verge of signing a 1-year deal with the Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Valverde posted an ERA of 3.78 and an FIP of 3.62. Valverde’s FIP was at a staggering 5.01 though. For his career, Valverde has an ERA/FIP of 3.11/3.53.

No word on what role the Marlins would bring Valverde into, but Steve Cishek is the incumbent closer, and is expected to maintain that role in 2013.

Valverde could be a interesting trade chip for the Marlins if he is able to pitch well in the first half of 2013, especially with his experience as a closer.

It should be noted that Valverde is a Scott Boras client. Boras earlier in the off season said he tells his clients to avoid signing long-term deals with the Marlins, due to their lack of credibility in holding onto to those contracts. Boras also represents free agent center fielder, Micheal Bourn, whom I suggest the Marlins should sign-and-trade.

We will have more details as they come out on the Jose Valverde signing.

11:30 PM Update: Turns out, the rumors of the Valverde signing are FALSE, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald:

Sources: reports of #marlins nearing deal with Jose Valverde are “utterly false.”

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) February 4, 2013

 

jose valverde is talking to a few teams, including the #marlins. no deal seems imminent.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 4, 2013