Overview
- Valdez hit Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a 94 mph pitch on Tuesday after back-to-back homers, leading to a benches-clearing scene and his ejection in Detroit’s 10-3 loss.
- MLB announced discipline Wednesday that was first set at six games and then reduced to five in an agreement with the players’ union, and Valdez began serving it as A.J. Hinch served a one-game ban.
- Valdez said the pitch got away as he tried to throw strikes, but Story and interim manager Chad Tracy called it intentional and pointed to his first four-seamer of the season.
- The five-game ban likely costs one start and squeezes a staff already missing Tarik Skubal after elbow surgery plus Casey Mize and Justin Verlander, with Valdez eligible to return next Wednesday at the Mets.
- Broadcasters and analysts revived questions about Valdez’s temperament by citing a 2025 game when he crossed up Astros catcher César Salazar, and former star Eric Hosmer posted a video alleging Boston baserunners were relaying Valdez’s pitch grips.