FRAMBER VALDEZ NEWS

Won't require surgery Valdez won't require surgery as his fractured left ring finger showed "significant healing" during Wednesday's evaluation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Season-ending surgery was recommended for the 27-year-old after he suffered the injury in early March, but he opted to hold off and still has a chance to pitch this season. Valdez won't be ready for the start of the season and remains without an official recovery timeline, so it's unclear when he might be able to retake the mound.

MARCH 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Houston's Whitley has Tommy John surgery; Valdez improving

Top Houston Astros prospect Forrest Whitley had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday

MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fantasy baseball injury mailbag: Updates on starters Framber Valdez, Sonny Gray and more Virginia Zakas of Inside Injuries offers a return timeline for injured starters Framber Valdez, Sonny Gray and many more.

MARCH 17, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Astros return core after coming a win shy of World Series

The Astros finished the pandemic-shortened regular season with a losing record but heated up in October and came within a win of reaching the World Series for the third time in fou...

MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Inbox: Valdez's return? Will Toro make roster? WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- We’re less than three weeks away from Opening Day and things have been interesting at Astros' camp, where an injury...

MARCH 12, 2021 • MLB.COM

Still hoping to avoid surgery Valdez is still holding out hope that he can avoid season-ending finger surgery, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Impact Valdez fractured the ring finger on his throwing hand when it was struck by a comebacker Tuesday. The initial news he heard from doctors was that he'd have to undergo a season-ending procedure, but that's apparently not quite a guarantee. Given that the surgery would knock him out for the entirety of the year but presumably wouldn't affect his 2022 campaign, it makes sense for him to first explore some alternative options, as going through with it in March or May would probably have the same ultimate outcome. In the meantime, the Astros signed Jake Odorizzi on Saturday to fill his spot in the rotation.

MARCH 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Astros add Jake Odorizzi, signaling a long absence for Framber Valdez The Astros solidified their rotation by agreeing to terms with Odorizzi, but the deal might have ramifications at the trade deadline.

MARCH 6, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Astros minus 8 pitchers because of coronavirus protocols

The Houston Astros are minus eight pitchers because of COVID-19 protocols, but general manager James Click says there were no plans to pause activity at the team’s spring training...

MARCH 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Season-ending surgery recommended Valdez has been recommended for surgery to repair the fractured ring finger on his pitching hand, which would likely keep him out for the 2021 season, Jon Heyman of MLB Network rep...

Impact Valdez will receive a second opinion on the injury before a decision on surgery is made, but the Astros are bracing for the possibility of the 27-year-old being sidelined for the entirety of the upcoming campaign. Even if Valdez avoids surgery, he'll almost certainly open the season on the injured list while he waits for the fractured digit to fully heal. Valdez's absence -- however long it might be -- should improve the odds of youngsters Luis Garcia and Forrest Whitley getting early opportunities out of the Houston rotation.

MARCH 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with fracture Valdez was diagnosed with a fractured left ring finger Wednesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Valdez was able to continue pitching during Tuesday's spring game after he took a groundball off his left hand during the first inning. While he said after the game that he was fine, he was further examined by team doctors Wednesday and diagnosed with a fracture. General manager James Click said that the southpaw will need to undergo further imaging before determining a timetable for his return.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Injury considered serious Valdez's finger injury is believed to be serious, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Impact Valdez took a groundball off his throwing hand in the first inning of Tuesday's spring game against the Mets, but he threw 19 innings after the incident and said that he was fine after the game. However, the southpaw apparently suffered a serious injury and is expected to be out "awhile." It's not yet clear whether Valdez will be ready for Opening Day, but his injury is a significant blow for Houston's rotation.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains finger injury Valdez has suffered a finger injury and is being examined by team doctors, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Impact Valdez pitched two innings during Tuesday's spring game against the Mets and allowed just one run on one hit while striking out two. However, his status for the near future is now in question due to his finger issue. The nature and severity of the injury could be revealed once he's examined by doctors, but a timetable for his return isn't yet known.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cruises through two frames Valdez allowed one run on one hit while striking out two and walking none over two innings in Tuesday's spring game against the Mets.

Impact Valdez needed just 24 pitches to get through his two innings. His lone mistake was a hanging breaking ball that Jeff McNeil deposited over the right-field wall. Valdez is coming off a strong season, one in which he found control and pitched a league high 94.2 innings, including the postseason. The challenge will be to maintain his effectiveness over the grind of 30 starts. The left-hander is slotted in as the No. 3 starter behind Zack Greinke and Lance McCullers.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Valdez, Javier feel good entering 2021 Astros pitcher Framber Valdez threw exactly 70 2/3 innings in each of the last two seasons, but those two seasons were anything but similar....

MARCH 3, 2021 • MLB.COM

Twins newcomer Happ back on mound after positive virus test

Eager for a fresh start with a new team, J

MARCH 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Have the Astros found their next ace? The Astros lost Charlie Morton and Dallas Keuchel to free agency after 2018, and Gerrit Cole left Houston after ’19. Zack Greinke, Lance McC...

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • MLB.COM

Nine strikeouts in win Valdez allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out nine across six innings to earn the win in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Impact Valdez held the Rays in check to force Game 7. The only run he surrendered came in the second inning after he allowed a single and double in the span of three batters. Besides that frame, Valdez allowed only one other hit while racking up 17 called strikes and 17 swinging strikes on 101 total pitches. The performance continued Valdez's strong results in the playoffs, as he's maintained a 1.88 ERA and 26:10 K:BB across 24 innings. If the Astros were to advance to the World Series, Valdez could be in line to start Game 2 on Wednesday.

OCTOBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fading Rays: Tampa Bay on brink of ALCS collapse vs Astros

The Tampa Bay Rays are on the brink of an extremely regrettable bit of baseball history with three consecutive losses in the AL Championship Series

OCTOBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carlos Correa gave Framber Valdez a serious pep talk (Video) Carlos Correa told Framber Valdez what was up and to get after it, man. The Houston Astros are Carlos Correa's team, and Dusty Baker is just...

OCTOBER 17, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Tampa Bay looks to clinch pennant with victory over Houston

The Rays will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of the ALCS

OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Walks four in loss Valdez took the loss to the Rays on Sunday in Game 1 of the ALCS. He allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Impact An improved walk rate was a big part of Valdez's success during the regular season, but he did not have his usual control Sunday. He issued a season-high four walks and paid the price as the winning run got on base via a free pass. The lefty still has a 2.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18 innings this postseason. Valdez should start Friday if a Game 6 is necessary.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Houston will travel to Tampa Bay in the first game of the ALCS

Tampa Bay will host Houston in Game 1 of the ALCS

OCTOBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEADING OFF: Rays' Snell, Astros' Valdez meet in ALCS opener

Houston and Tampa Bay are set to open their AL Championship Series in San Diego, with Astros left-hander Framber Valdez opposing 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell

OCTOBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LEADING OFF: Rays' Snell, Astros' Valdez meet in ALCS opener

Houston and Tampa Bay are set to open their AL Championship Series in San Diego, with Astros left-hander Framber Valdez opposing 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell

OCTOBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bad-boy Astros, fun-loving Rays set to face off in ALCS

Managed by universally acclaimed good guy Dusty Baker, the Houston Astros remain villains in many people’s eyes for their sign-stealing scandal three years ago

OCTOBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS