Valdez’s ‘incredible’ comeback still going

Framber Valdez ended the 2020 season the Astros’ breakout performer and started the 2021 season an uncertainty in their plans.

The broken left ring finger Valdez suffered early in spring training was a big blow to the Astros and kept him out for the first 49 games of the season.

On Friday, Valdez will start on the mound for Houston in the second game of the American League Division Series against the White Sox at Minute Maid Park.

“It’s kind of incredible,” Valdez said Thursday through an interpreter. “A lot of people would think, ‘How is that possible he goes from breaking his finger to being available for the first series of the playoffs?’ but it’s something that I just set my mind on. I wanted to make sure that I could get back as quickly as possible to be ready to help this team out in any way I could.”

Although doctors told Valdez he would not pitch this season, the lefthander returned May 28 and made 22 starts in the regular season, finishing 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA. He boosted the Astros with his ability to work deep into games and allowed just 12 home runs in his 1342⁄3 innings pitched, the third-lowest ratio of home runs per nine innings in the American League (minimum 130 IP). His ground-ball percentage (70.3%) was the highest in the majors.

“After his injury back in spring training, he recovered pretty fast, and he works really hard to pitch the way he did,”Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said. “It’s always fun to play behind him. His two seam and curveball gives you a lot of action in the infield, and we’re happy with that.”

Chicago’s lineup is heavy with right-handed hitters who hit left-handed pitchers well. Valdez faced the White Sox twice in the regular season, yielding six earned runs in 13⅓ frames. He did not appear concerned about how he would match up against them in the ALDS.

“I feel comfortable throwing all my different pitch selections against them,” he said. “The last time out, I felt good. I felt comfortable going against that lineup. They executed on a few pitches, but I feel like I just need to make a couple little adjustments, and I’ll be ready to have success against them.”

Valdez believes his presence on the mound Friday proves one thing: “Anything is possible if you just believe it.”