The Houston Astros announced Monday that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Jose Valverde to a one-year, $8.0-million contract. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

Associated Press

Astros closer Jose Valverde signs a one year $8 million contract.

“Jose is a key component of our club, and we’re very pleased to get this deal done,” Wade said. “Having the closer who has led the league in saves for two years in a row creates a lot of certainty on the back end of our bullpen. Jose has established himself as one of the game’s dominant closers and should be able to maintain that status for a long time.”

Valverde, 30, posted 44 saves last season, which led the National League and tied Houston’s franchise record for saves in a single season. The Astros closer went 6-3 with a 3.38 ERA (27ER/72IP) in a career-high 74 appearances. In six Major League seasons, Valverde is 15-17 with 142 saves and a 3.31 ERA (122ER/332IP) with Arizona (2003-07) and Houston (2008).