The Detroit Tigers have brought back reliever Jose Valverde, signing him to a one-year contract.

Valverde, who will report to the Major League team on Wednesday, will immediately be the team's closer.

"I'm ready to pitch," Valverde said. "I feel good. The last couple of days I threw in Lakeland, I threw 96 [mph], 97, a couple times 98."

He was Detroit's closer the past three years, but the team was prepared to let him leave as a free agent after he faltered during the 2012 postseason.