Stripling expected to start for the Blue Jays against the Orioles
The Blue Jays will roll out Ross Stripling to the mound Sunday and the Orioles plan to give Jorge Lopez the startJUNE 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ryu expected to start as Blue Jays host the Orioles
The Orioles will start Keegan Akin on Saturday while the Blue Jays are expected to counter with Hyun Jin RyuJUNE 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baltimore takes 6-game skid into matchup with Toronto
Baltimore is looking to snap its six-game losing streak with a win over TorontoJUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baltimore takes 5-game skid into matchup with Toronto
Baltimore heads into the matchup against Toronto in a rut, losers of five straightJUNE 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Astros visit Baltimore, look to build on Greinke's strong showing
Houston looks to follow up a dominant outing by Tuesday starter Zack GreinkeJUNE 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Orioles take 3-game losing streak into matchup with Astros
Baltimore is looking to snap its three-game losing streak with a win over HoustonJUNE 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Placed on 10-day IL Valdez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain Monday.
Impact Valdez gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one in one inning during Sunday's loss to the Orioles, and it's possible that his injury contributed to his struggles. Whether he's forced to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the injured list remains to be seen, but right-hander Travis Lakins was recalled in a corresponding move.
JUNE 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Seeing lower-leverage work Valdez has not posted a save or hold in his last 10 outings.
Impact Valdez opened the year as Baltimore's closer, but those duties have more recently gone to Paul Fry. Instead, Valdez has seen lower-leverage work. The change in role hasn't gone very well -- since his last save May 10, the right-hander has an 11.00 ERA, 2.44 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in nine innings. He pitched a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 14-1 loss to the Mets, but without any promise of save chances, he carries little fantasy appeal.
JUNE 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dan Connolly: Cesar Valdez has struggled recently in the... - The Athletic Cesar Valdez has struggled recently in the closer's role and the Orioles' bullpen, as a whole, has been shaky. Brandon Hyde said his closer...
MAY 25, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Meltdown in eighth inning Valdez allowed three runs on three hits in one-third of an inning in Monday's 8-3 loss to Minnesota. He was charged with a blown save.
Impact The 36-year-old avoided the loss Monday, but he allowed two inherited runners to score and put another three batters on base. Tyler Wells then proceeded to allow one of Valdez's runners to score as Baltimore's bullpen wasted a good start from John Means. In May, Valdez has yielded seven runs in 5.2 innings across seven appearances. The right-hander is 8-for-12 in save chances with a 3.93 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 18.1 innings overall. With rumors of a potential move away from closing duties, Valdez hasn't done much lately to show he should stay in a ninth-inning role.
MAY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Role may be adjusted Valdez is being considered for set-up work, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Impact This is not a performance-based shift for Valdez, who has gone 8-for-11 in save chances with a 2.65 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB. Instead, it comes down to Baltimore's lack of effective right-handed relievers. Nothing official has been announced for Valdez in regards to his role, but it wouldn't be surprising to see some ninth-inning duties given to southpaw Paul Fry in the near future. Hunter Harvey (oblique) could also become a factor in the closer conversation when he returns.
MAY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Walker expected to start as New York hosts Baltimore
The Orioles will start Matt Harvey on Wednesday while the Mets are expected to counter with Taijuan WalkerMAY 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Takes loss, blown save Valdez (2-1) was charged with the loss and a blown save Tuesday against the Mets, allowing two runs on three hits while recording one strikeout.
Impact With the Orioles clinging onto a one-run lead in the ninth, Valdez nearly allowed a leadoff home run to Kevin Pillar that was overturned as a foul ball. The at-bat instead became a single that would come around and score on a single by Dominic Smith, tying the game and charging Valdez with a blown save. The struggles continued for the 36-year-old when Patrick Mazeika stepped up to the plate and scored the winning run on a walkoff fielder's choice, handing Valdez and the Orioles a tough loss. It was the third blown save in 11 tries for Valdez, who had converted three saves in a row leading up to Tuesday's loss. On the season, the right-hander has compiled a 2.40 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
MAY 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Picks up save No. 8 Valdez secured the save after striking out two over a scoreless inning Monday against Boston.
Impact Valdez retired the side in order in the ninth, fanning two and inducing a lineout to center field. The closer has surrendered just two runs in 13 appearances so far this season and has successfully converted eight of 10 save chances. He also owns a strong 17:3 K:BB across 14.2 innings of work.
MAY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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Locks down seventh save Valdez pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn a save in Monday's 5-3 win over Seattle.
Impact Valdez threw 10 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side for his seventh save of the season. The 36-year-old right-hander has been solid this year with a 1.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's now 7-for-9 in save chances, and he's also earned two wins in 12 outings.
MAY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Secures sixth save Valdez allowed two hits in the ninth inning to record the three-out save in the win over the Athletics on Friday.
Impact Valdez bounced back to record his sixth save Friday after blowing the save Thursday against the Yankees. He is 6-for-8 in save opportunities and has a pair of wins. The 36-year-old remains the best arm in the Orioles bullpen with a 1.42 ERA in 12.2 innings.
MAY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Means, O's post 1st win in Oakland since 2017, beat A's 3-2
John Means struck out nine and the Baltimore Orioles won at the Coliseum for the first time since 2017, beating Mike Fiers and the Oakland Athletics 3-2MAY 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blows save chance Valdez allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out two across one inning to blow the save Thursday against the Yankees.
Impact Valdez entered the game with a one-run lead, but he walked two of the first three batters he faced before surrendering an RBI double. It was Valdez's second blown save of the season, though he's still gone 5-for-7 in save chances this season. This performance isn't likely to affect the closer role in Baltimore, though Tanner Scott could eventually earn saves if Valdez continues to stumble.
APRIL 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Notches fifth save Valdez gave up one hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to record his fifth save of the season in Monday's 4-2 win over the Yankees.
Impact The 36-year-old changeup specialist continues to thrive as the O's closer. Valdez is 5-for-6 in save chances with a 0.84 ERA and 11:1 K:BB through 10.1 innings, and as long as he remains effective, manager Brandon Hyde has little reason to look to anyone else in the ninth inning.
APRIL 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Garcia scheduled to start for Yankees at Orioles
The Yankees will start Deivi Garcia on Monday while the Orioles are expected to counter with Matt HarveyAPRIL 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
The top 35 Major League Baseball players over age 35
Ranking young players is easy. Jake Mintz does the real work, bringing us his 35 favorite over-35 MLB players, from Miggy to Max.APRIL 23, 2021
Records four-out save Valdez earned a four-out save Tuesday that included three strikeouts.
Impact With two outs and one on in the eighth, Valdez was called upon to replace Jace Fry and finish off the inning. He did so with ease, sending Jesus Aguilar down on strikes. The 36-year-old re-entered in the ninth frame and continued his success, retiring all three batters faced. It was the fourth save of the season for Valdez, who holds a 2-0 record to go with a shiny 0.96 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.
APRIL 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Notches third save Valdez gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Rangers.
Impact The journeyman continues to get the job done as closer for the O's. Valdez has two wins through six appearances in addition to his saves, and his 1.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP are backed up by a 7:1 K:BB through 7.1 innings. At some point the league might figure out his baffling changeup, but until that happens Valdez will handle a high-leverage role.
APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Picks up win in nightcap Tuesday Valdez (2-0) recorded the win in a 7-6 victory during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, giving up one hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh...
Impact The changeup specialist entered the game after the M's had tied things up off Adam Plutko in the top half of the seventh, and Valdez was rewarded for his efforts when the O's walked it off on a Ramon Urias single. Valdez has a 1,42 ERA and 6:1 K:BB through 6.1 innings to begin the season with two saves in addition to his two wins, and for the moment he's manager Brandon Hyde's most trusted high-leverage arm.
APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
