Juan Gutierrez News

Astros closer Jose Valverde, who has pitched well since coming off the disabled list, said he plans on testing the free-agent waters at the end of the season, though his first preference would be returning to Houston.

Rusty Ryal homered to lead off the 10th inning and Arizona beat Los Angeles for the Diamondbacks` fifth straight win Monday.

The news on closer Chad Qualls was not good, but it could have been worse. Qualls, who dislocated his left knee on his final pitch of Sunday's game against the Astros, was diagnosed with a torn patella femoral tendon and will require surgery.

Player News Yesterdaya s Results Todaya s Games Standings Top Minor League Performances You can always find the most recent THT Daily at http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/content/thtdaily/ Player News Player Headlines are courtesy of Rotoworld Chad Qualls will have an MRI for a dislocated kneecap sustained on the final play of Sunday's game.

Rookie John Hester went 2-for-3 in his first Major League start on Sunday, scoring two runs and doubling in another, and caught Dan Haren's six-hit pitching for seven-plus innings as the D-backs completed a series sweep of Houston with a 4-3 victory.

Pinch-hitter Brett Carroll's three-run homer sparked a franchise-record 10-run eighth inning, helping Florida come back from a seven-run deficit to beat Arizona 14-7 on Thursday night.

When I was in my last season of Little League, I was my team's closer. I would trot over from first base or third, dig in my plastic spikes, and get to work.