Padres release 3-time all-star reliever Valverde

Jose Valverde has been suspended 80 games for PED use. (Orlin Wagner/AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. — Reliever Jose Valverde has been released by the San Diego Padres after the team informed the right-hander he wouldn’t make the opening-day major league roster.

The 37-year-old was packing up his belongings Thursday morning and said he will return to his native Dominican Republic. The three-time All-Star is hopeful he’ll get an offer from another team soon.

At spring training with a minor league contract, Valverde had a 4.15 ERA with eight strikeouts and one walk in nine spring training appearances with San Diego.

Valverde had been out of baseball since being released by the New York Mets last May, when he had a 5.66 ERA. Valverde has 288 saves.

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