Jose Valverde struggles Saturday, could be out as closer

Mets pitcher Jose Valverde surrendered a three-run home run in a nonsave situation in his team's 7-5 loss to the Braves Saturday, and it appears manager Terry Collins is ready to make a change in the closer role, ESPNNewYork.com reports.

All three of the runs charged to Valverde were unearned due to an error the pitcher made on a bunt, and with three straight ugly outings to his credit, the closer sounds like he'll be removed from a ninth-inning role. Kyle Farnsworth and Gonzalez Germen seem like the most likely candidates to inherit closing duties.