The Detroit Tigers signed Framber Valdez this past offseason to a three-year, $115 million contract to form a dominant duo alongside left-hander Tarik Skubal. Valdez has not been exactly as advertised.
Through 19 starts, he has not generated the weak contact he was known for during his time with the Houston Astros, and he owns a 5-6 record and 4.10 ERA. He is a ground ball pitcher, but his 87 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings is not particularly impressive either.
Still, Valdez has remained healthy and available and still flashes the form of the two-time All-Star he once was. In fact, his last outing he tossed seven innings, allowing just one run and striking out nine in a win against the Athletics.
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Unfortunately, Valdez will not be able to continue that momentum, at least in the short term.
He was scheduled to take the ball for Detroit's final game of the first half Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he was scratched moments before first pitch, with Detroit shifting to a bullpen game.
Moments later, the Tigers announced he had been placed on the bereavement list. Chris McCosky of The Detroit News provided further clarity on the situation, revealing there was a death in Valdez's family.
As Valdez attends to his personal situation and takes care of something that means far more than baseball, he will also have the All-Star break to spend with those closest to him.
He should be back for his next turn in the rotation when the second half begins.
