Valdez injury may cause depth issues
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Confidence in the Astros’ starting rotation faded somewhat Wednesday, underscoring the fragility of starting pitching and why there never can be enough depth.
Tests on Wednesday revealed a fractured left ring finger for Framber Valdez, the Astros’ ace-in-the-making who finally appeared ready to carry a full season’s workload. There is no timetable for Valdez’s return, general manager James Click said, and further tests were ongoing to determine the injury’s extent. Valdez injured the finger on Tuesday during his first spring training outing against the New York Mets.
“At this point, the medical staff needs to do additional tests and imaging before deciding on the next steps,” Click said in a statement. “We will know more in the upcoming days.”
Losing Valdez even briefly is massive for an Astros rotation without much proven depth. The curveball-centric lefthander blossomed last season, finishing with a 3.57 ERA in 70-2⁄3 regular-season in
nings. The team entered 2021 hoping Valdez and his resilient arm could carry a season-long workload.
That now appears in peril. The Astros still have four formidable healthy starters, but Valdez’s emergence last season made many think he could ascend to workhorse status. Zack Greinke’s career-long durability affords some comfort, but Valdez pitched better than him — and any other Astros starter — last season.
Greinke and Lance Mccullers Jr. are still a more-than-adequate duo atop the Astros’ rotation. Depth behind them is scarce. Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier threw brilliantly last year, but neither has demonstrated the ability to sustain through a 162game season. Click did not acquire an established, durable starter this winter, signaling faith in the organizational depth that carried the Astros throughout last season.
Whether Click’s calculus changes because of Valdez’s injury is still unknown. More clarity is needed on a timeline before any absolutes can be determined.
If Valdez does miss regular season starts, Houston could turn to two options with major league experience — Luis Garcia or Brandon Bielak. Bryan Abreu, once a touted prospect, is in better shape and could contend for innings if he pitches well in Grapefruit
League play. Forrest Whitley is on the 40-man roster, too, still awaiting his long-anticipated major league debut.
Among the Astros’ young pitchers, Valdez has the most durable arm. Manager Dusty Baker and pitching coach Brent Strom speak often about his ability to warm up quickly, throw on short rest or pitch deep into a game. Baker allowed Valdez to throw 100 or more pitches in six of his 11 starts last season.
“I worked on my physical aspects this offseason and I just made sure that I was just physically ready to endure a longer season and throw however many innings they need out of me,” Valdez said through an interpreter after his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday against the Mets.
In the first inning, Valdez took a sharp grounder from Francisco Lindor off his pitching hand. He recovered to make the play and, after a few warmup pitches, remained in the game. Valdez faced five hitters following his injury with no noticeable discomfort.
Valdez downplayed Lindor’s ground ball after his start. The lefthander threw 15 of his 24 pitches for strikes and made only one mistake — a hanging curveball that Jeff Mcneil hit onto the berm in right field. According to the stadium radar gun, Valdez’s velocity remained around 92-94 mph after his injury.
“I reacted really quickly to the ground ball, and it hit me in the hand,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “Nothing serious, thank God, and I was able to stay on the mound and finish the next inning.”
Something more serious the next day. appeared