The Houston Astros have placed closer Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list with a strained calf. He has pitched in 8 games (0 starts) this season for the Astros and he is 0-1 with 2 saves, a 5.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Latroy Hawkins will replace Valverde as the closer while he is out. Hawkins has pitched in 10 games for the Astros this season and he is 0-0 with 2 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Hawkins has 78 career saves so he should be able to handle the pressure while Valverde is out, but, he’s not in Valverde’s league as a pitcher.