Astros: Dusty Baker has amazing analogy for Framber Valdez’s healing powers

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker compared Framber Valdez’s healing powers to ‘The Predator.’

One season removed from falling one game short of reaching the World Series, the Houston Astros are looking to have a better finish in 2021. However, they received some scares when it comes to their pitching rotation. One of them being Valdez.

Earlier this month, Valdez suffered a fractured left ring finger while fielding a ground ball from New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. The initial belief was that Valdez would require season-ending surgery, but it was later determined by a doctor that he did not need to go under the knife due to “significant healing” in his finger.

With Valdez set to return at some point during the 2021 season, manager Dusty Baker was asked about his starter’s healing abilities. The Astros skipper then went out of his way to say Valdez had the healing abilities of “the Predator.”

Astros: Framber Valdez experiencing ‘significant healing’ in left ring finger

That is quite the comparison from Baker, whom also said that Valdez is “just short of a miracle.” If Astros fans were not feeling confident about Valdez before, they should be right now.

The Astros appeared to be in crisis mode this spring following Valdez’s injury, which forced the organization to push for a potential replacement. So, they signed former Minnesota Twins starter Jake Odorizzi to a two-year contract. But, the bad news kept coming, as it was determined that top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley needed to undergo Tommy John surgery. At least Valdez will take the mound at some point this season.

Last year, Valdez recorded a 3.57 ERA, a1.118 WHIP and 76 strikeouts over 70.2 innings of work in 11 games (10 starts).

Valdez’s healing abilities will be put to the test, as there is no official timeline for his return. Based off Baker’s comments, it’ is safe to say it will be sooner rather than later.