Finally, some good news for the Houston Astros pitching staff. Left-hander Framber Valdez will be activated off the injured list to start Sunday’s game against the Rockies in Mexico City. Valdez has been on the injured list after being scratched from his third start of the season with elbow soreness. Thankfully, the left-hander seems to have avoided what could have been a very serious injury. Valdez began throwing again shortly after his injured list designation and will be activated barely over the 15-day minimum.
Source: the Astros are optioning right-hander J.P. France to Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of their trip to Mexico City. That will clear a roster spot for Framber Valdez, but does prompt some questions about how their rotation lines up going forward.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 25, 2024
Framber Valdez last pitched on April 2nd, tossing 7 ⅔ scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. In two starts this season, the Astros ace boasts a 2.19 ERA over 12 ⅓ innings pitched.
Houston’s long list of starting pitcher injuries only exacerbated Valdez’s brief stint on the injured list. While the Astros returned ace Justin Verlander last week, Houston placed right-hander Cristian Javier on the injured list shortly after. The Astros knew they would be without Luis García and Lance McCullers Jr. until at least mid-season after both undergoing elbow surgery last year. Houston lost Justin Verlander and José Urquidy during Spring Training to the injured list, thinning their rotation even further.
Houston Astros Expected to Activate Left-Hander Framber Valdez from Injured List
With its veteran starters out of commission, Houston has had to rely on the younger members of its pitching staff. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti has made three starts for the Astros after being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land. Their younger starters’ injuries and shaky starts have led to Houston’s third-worst starting ERA at 5.03. The Astros bullpen hasn’t helped the situation either. Astros relievers have combined for a 5.13 ERA, also the third worst in the league.
Now that Valdez is back, he’ll slot into the rotation next to Verlander, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, and Spencer Arrighetti. Framber Valdez has a 3.38 career ERA and has been in the top 10 in AL Cy Young voting in back-to-back seasons. The 30-year-old southpaw should bring stability to a struggling Astros team having its worst start since 1969. If Javier and Urquidy can return soon, the order could be restored in the starting rotation, allowing Houston to turn things around.
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