Another MLB ace will be placed on the disabled list with an elbow issue.
Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was placed on the 15-day IL prior to Tuesday’s game against the Royals due to elbow inflammation.
Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters that the left-handed pitcher will not pitch in the next one or two days until he is reevaluated.
The transfer to IL will be retroactive to April 6th.
Two-time All-Star: “It’s going to take some time to recover.” According to a reporter from The Athletic, Espada explained:And the Astros captain expressed a desire to “probably only start two games.”
Espada did not provide further details, but Valdez was injured in the starting game against the Rangers on Monday night in Arlington, Texas and was not with Kansas City’s team.
Valdez, 30, returned to Houston after seeing team doctors on Monday. The Athletic reportedand on Tuesday, Espada said he had not received “any news” regarding Valdez’s left elbow ulnar collateral ligament injury.
The injury news comes amid growing concerns about an increase in arm injuries among pitchers this season, with the MLB Players Association pointing to pitching clocks as a major cause of contagious illnesses.
Shane Bieber, Yuri Perez, Jonathan Loaisiga and Spencer Strider are already among the big-time MLB pitchers who will fall victim to arm injuries in 2024.
The MLBPA and Major League Baseball are at loggerheads over who should be responsible, and Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who is sidelined with an elbow injury, said Monday he is “frustrated” by the situation.
“I’m frustrated by the fact that the players aren’t the main focus and I don’t feel like player care is the main focus,” Cole said.
The Astros have struggled since the start, going 4-7, and are already without another ace, Justin Verlander, due to shoulder inflammation.
The club is also without pitchers Jose Urquidi, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr.
The Astros have promoted pitching prospect Spencer Arrigetti and are scheduled to start him in his major league debut on Wednesday. The Athletic reported.
Valdez started the first two games of the season, pitching 12 1/3 innings and posting a 2.19 ERA.
