Astros Try To Move Past Framber Valdez Catcher Controversy
So, the Houston Astros have found themselves in the middle of some drama after Tuesday night’s loss to the New York Yankees. The game itself didn’t go well for Houston — they fell 7-1 — but it wasn’t just the scoreboard that had people talking. The spotlight landed on starting pitcher Framber Valdez and his catcher, César Salazar, after a bizarre and controversial moment in the fifth inning.
Here’s what happened. The Yankees were already up 2-0 with the bases loaded when Trent Grisham stepped into the box. Valdez was on the mound, and the pitch clock was winding down. Salazar motioned for Valdez to step off, clearly wanting a timeout, but Valdez ignored him and threw anyway. That pitch ended up in the seats for a grand slam. Suddenly, it was 6-0, and emotions were running high.
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Two pitches later, things got even stranger. Valdez fired a sinker that went straight into Salazar’s chest protector. He wasn’t ready for it, and it looked awful in real time. Salazar stood up, staring back at his pitcher, and many watching assumed Valdez had intentionally drilled his own catcher out of frustration. Former big leaguer Dallas Braden even jumped on social media and called it “100% intentional” and “trash behavior.”
But both Valdez and Salazar denied that interpretation. After the game, Valdez explained through a translator that it was nothing more than a miscommunication — they had gotten crossed up on the pitch call. He said he immediately apologized in the dugout and took responsibility. Salazar echoed that, saying crowd noise contributed to the mistake, and he admitted he had pressed the wrong button on the pitch-calling system. He also emphasized that his relationship with Valdez was solid.
Manager Joe Espada addressed the situation the next day, saying he met with both players right after the game to get the truth directly. He insisted that there was no bad blood between them, and he made it clear he wanted the team and the media to move past the controversy and focus back on baseball. Espada also called out the spread of misinformation, saying too much was being exaggerated in the press.
Meanwhile, the Astros are still managing other roster challenges. Third baseman Isaac Paredes, out since June with a hamstring strain, has started light work and is heading to Florida for rehab, with hopes of returning before the postseason. Veteran outfielder Chas McCormick, who has struggled this year, was optioned to Triple-A, while catcher Victor Caratini was activated from the concussion list.
So yes, the Astros’ 7-1 loss to New York was rough, but it was the Valdez-Salazar moment that truly stole the headlines. Whether it was just a cross-up or something more, the team is making every effort to close the book on the incident. For now, Houston will try to regroup as they continue their series against the Yankees, hoping the story shifts back to wins and playoff pushes rather than clubhouse tension.
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