Can the Astros rotation recover from Framber Valdez injury?

Rough news has arrived for the Houston Astros and manager Dusty Baker, as it’s been announced starting pitcher Framber Valdez has suffered a fractured ring finger. 

Spring training just got underway and the Houston Astros have already been dealt a big bummer out on the injury front. That’s because left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez, coming off a solid 2020, will likely miss the start of the season.

On Wednesday, the team announced the hard-throwing hurler has suffered a fractured left ring finger. His injury came while trying to field a ball in a spring training tilt against the Mets.

Framber Valdez suffering a fractured ring finger is terrible news for the Houston Astros

On the play, Valdez was trying to field a one-hopper, but the ball bounced awkwardly and hit him right in his left hand. You could tell he was in some serious discomfort immediately after things went down.

Now, he’ll look to overcome this hurdle and get back on the bump for the team as soon as possible, while not rushing things either. Last season, Valdez impressed in his third campaign for the team, going 5-3 and posting a 3.57 ERA in 11 starts. Considering Justin Verlander’s recovery timetable from Tommy John surgery, Valdez’s injury comes at a critical time for Houston.

2020 was a bounce-back season for him, as Valdez struggled the year before. In 2019, he went 4-7 and recorded a 5.86 ERA. Entering 2021, he was hoping to be a reliable starter for Baker and continue to help the team make plenty of noise in the AL West. Houston is once again expected to compete for a division title, with the team wanting to unseat the Athletics and prevent them from repeating as champs.

For now, Houston will have to move forward without Valdez on the hill, but fortunately this injury doesn’t appear like it will keep him out for the long haul.