Rick Porcello Ks 6 in 4 innings, Tigers beat Astros 8-5

LAKELAND, Fla. - Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has plenty of hitting at his disposal and a top-notch starting rotation. His bullpen, though, could be a problem.

"I am concerned," Leyland said. "I am not promoting anyone to closer just yet. We don't have a closer right now."

Before the Tigers' 8-5 win over the Houston Astros on Monday, Leyland emphasized that he is uncomfortable with not having a true closer that he can count on.

On Monday, Potential Tigers closers Brayan Villarreal and Al Albuquerque each struck out the side in their only inning in relief of Rick Porcello, who struck out six in four innings.

Jose Valverde was not brought back after he had 35 saves last year but was rocked in the post-season, pitching four times before losing his job.

"Valverde has never been discussed," Leyland said. "I'm shocked and broken hearted that he doesn't have a job, but we knew we weren't bringing him back."

That left the Tigers without a proven closer. Much of the speculation this spring training has been that 22-year-old right-hander Bruce Rondon would step in to the role. Rondon moved from Class-A to Triple-A last year, but he's been hit hard this spring.

Leyland said Rondon was never anointed the new closer and that there were several candidates for the job. It is too early to count Rondon out of the mix, though, or for that matter, anyone else.

"Rondon is still a candidate," Leyland said. "He's just throwing it hard and they are hitting it pretty hard."

Leyland emphasized that he is concerned about not having a true closer by opening day. He said he'd rather not go with a closer-by-committee plan, but all options are open.

"Is it a concern? Sure it is," Leyland said. "But we didn't have a closer two months ago either. It's just too early to say. At some point this spring we are going to have to make a decision. Any of them will pitch well enough or they won't. With Rondon, even his outings had been good so far I wouldn't have appointed him our closer yet."

Leyland said he has a Plan B but isn't willing to discuss it right now, but he wants a closer rather than a committee.

"No question it is 100 per cent better to have one closer," Leyland said. "If you don't have a closer you are open game. I just know I would be a lot more confident if I had a closer right now."

Rondon had 27 saves last season during his rise through the Tigers organization. The returning Detroit pitchers combined for only five saves last season, led by Joaquin Benoit with two.

Jared Cosart started for the Astros and allowed three earned runs in two innings. He also walked four. The Astros walked nine and committed two errors.

NOTES: Leyland reported that RHP Max Scherzer felt fine on Monday, one day after making his first start of the spring. Scherzer had shoulder discomfort at the end of 2012. ... Astros OF Rick Ankiel had another hit to raise his spring average to .467. . Former Astros pitcher Roger Clemens is back in camp for the second of three stints. . Astros RHP Bud Norris will pitch a simulated game in the bullpen on Wednesday, the day of his next scheduled start.