Jose Valverde will not close today’s ALCS Game 2 (Elsa, Getty Images)

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland didn’t like what he saw in the ninth inning of yesterday’s extra-innings win over the Yankees. So today, he did something about it.

USA Today reports that Leyland will not rely on Jose Valverde as the Tigers’ closer in tonight’s Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Leyland said he and his coaching staff noticed flaws in Valverde’s mechanics that need to be worked out before the pitcher can return to the mound.

The Tigers were leading the Yankees 4-0 in the ninth inning of last night’s game 1 when Valverde’s meltdown allowed the Yankees to take the game into extra innings, where they eventually lost to a go-ahead double by Delmon Young.

Leyland declined to specify who hi closer would be for tonight’s contest.

Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde injured his right (throwing) wrist while warming up in the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning of Tuesday’s win over the St. Louis Cardinals. According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, after feeling a problem Valverde tried to throw one more pitch, but then shut himself down.

“I threw like 10 or 15 pitches,” Valverde said after the game. “I’m almost ready for the game, and the last pitch I throw, I noticed my wrist started getting sore, tight. I had to stop, tell them what’s going on, because I don’t want to be out for too long if it’s something serious.”

Initial tests performed by team athletic trainers suggested that it wasn’t a serious injury, but Valverde was still expected to have an MRI overnight to rule out further problems.

After leading the majors with 49 saves last season, Valverde has 13 thus far in 2012.

In Sunday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers pitcher threw a high four-seam fastball. That in and of itself wasn’t noteworthy, but what is noteworthy is what Valverde did immediately beforehand.

MLB rules prohibit the “doctoring” of a baseball before pitching. According to the rules, a pitcher may not “deliver a ball altered in a manner prescribed by Rule 8.02(a)(2) through (5) or what is called the “shine” ball, “spit” ball, “mud” ball or “emery” ball. The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands.”

The penalty for pitching a ball doctored in this manner is an automatic ejection and 10 game suspension.