Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez found himself at the center of controversy during a recent game against the New York Yankees. After surrendering a grand slam to Trent Grisham in the fifth inning, Valdez threw a pitch that struck his catcher, César Salazar, in the chest, sparking speculation about potential tension between the battery-mates.
Valdez immediately addressed the incident postgame, clarifying that the pitch was not thrown intentionally at Salazar. “What happened with us, we just got crossed up,” Valdez explained. “I called for that pitch, I threw it and we got crossed up. We went down to the dugout and I excused myself with him and I said sorry to him and I take full responsibility for that.” Both Valdez and Salazar emphasized that there was no malice involved and that the matter was resolved privately in the clubhouse. Salazar added, “The stadium was loud. I thought I pressed the button, but I pressed the wrong button. I was expecting another pitch, but it wasn’t it.” He further confirmed that he and Valdez maintain a positive relationship and that the incident was simply a miscommunication common in high-pressure moments.
This episode comes during another strong season for Valdez, who remains a cornerstone of the Astros rotation. Nicknamed “La Grasa,” Valdez has consistently demonstrated elite groundball-inducing ability and durability. At 5’11” and 230 pounds, the left-hander has become a fixture for Houston, making his third consecutive Opening Day start this year—a distinction previously matched by Dallas Keuchel among Astros lefties. In 2025, Valdez has continued to rack up strikeouts, surpassing 1,000 for his career, and maintains a career ERA hovering in the low 3s. His contract for this season is valued at $18 million, reflecting his importance to the club.
Throughout his tenure with the Astros, Valdez has achieved several milestones, including throwing the first no-hitter by a left-handed pitcher in franchise history, earning back-to-back All-Star selections, and helping Houston clinch division titles. His 2023 campaign was particularly noteworthy: he led the team in wins and innings pitched, posted a career-best WHIP, and finished among the American League leaders in groundball rate, ERA, and wins. Valdez also holds the MLB record for most consecutive quality starts in a single season, with 25, underscoring his remarkable consistency.
Despite the momentary drama against the Yankees, Valdez’s performance and leadership remain invaluable for the Astros as they pursue another postseason run. For more on Valdez’s career and latest stats, visit his profile on ESPN or follow him on Astros Twitter for real-time updates.