Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has not committed to Jose Valverde as the team's full-time closer. But he does expect him to play a key role in the World Series.

"I think everybody's making too big of a deal of the Valverde situation," Leyland said Saturday prior to a team workout at Comerica Park. "Valverde's going to be ready. There's nothing wrong with Valverde. He's going to be fine."

Valverde has not pitched since allowing a pair of two-run home runs in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. He allowed three runs in the ninth inning of his previous outing, a 4-3 loss to the Oakland A's in Game 4 of the AL Division Series.

Valverde said Thursday

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"I've been working hard the last couple days," he said. "I figured out what I'm doing wrong, and I'll be ready for the World Series. I feel like I'll save the last game."

That may very well happen.

"I get a kick out of it," Leyland said. "Nobody wanted me to pitch him, but everybody asks me every day if he's going to be the closer. I don't know what they expect, but I'm going to just see what happens. But Valverde, particularly (if the Tigers play) St. Louis, with several right-handed hitters, I think he's going to be a big part of the World Series.

"That'll leave some people to have some good conversations and questions about it."

Leyland said he doesn't like to automatically point to something mechanical when a player struggles. He said, in the end, it is a pitcher's job to get hitters out. But Leyland did say he has seen a difference in Valverde from last season to this season.

"Last year, on a consistent basis, he stayed out of the middle of the plate and this year he has not done that as well," Leyland said. "That's a fact. So I don't blame everything on mechanics or blame everything on somebody didn't like the mound. Neither does he. He makes no excuses. He's been great. And he's pumped up and he's ready to go."

Four of the seven World Series games scheduled for National League ballparks, where the designated hitter will not be used. That likely means more pinch-hitting and more pitchers being used.

"You've got to pinch-hit in the National League cities," Leyland said. "You're going to have to use your pitchers, so if you get behind, that's just the way it is. I think he'll be a big part of this World Series."

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