Astros pitcher Framber Valdez accused of hitting his catcher after surrendering grand slam
Incident occurred in the fifth inning as Valdez gave up a grand slam to Trent Grisham and then threw a pitch that struck catcher César Salazar during Houston’s 7-1 loss to the Yankees.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was accused of intentionally throwing at his own catcher, César Salazar, after surrendering a grand slam in the fifth inning of Tuesday’s 7-1 loss to the New York Yankees in Houston.
With the Yankees leading 2-0 and the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the fifth, Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham was ahead in the count, 1-0. As the pitch clock wound down, Salazar motioned for Valdez to step off the mound and request a timeout. Valdez ignored the signal and delivered the pitch just ahead of the clock expiring. Grisham connected on the 96 mph sinker and drove it into the left-field seats for a grand slam, extending New York’s lead.
On the next at-bat, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe stepped to the plate. Valdez then appeared to express displeasure toward Salazar and delivered a 93 mph sinker directed toward the catcher’s chest. Salazar was not prepared for the pitch, failed to corral the ball cleanly, and the pitch struck him.
Houston manager and team officials did not immediately provide comment to reporters during the game about whether the throw was intentional or whether further discipline would follow. Umpires did not signal any immediate ejections related to the exchange.
The incident occurred amid growing attention to enforcement of the pitch clock and the pace of play in Major League Baseball, which has led to more on-field timing tensions between pitchers and catchers. In this instance, the exchange between Valdez and Salazar unfolded visibly at the mound and drew attention after the momentum swing created by Grisham’s grand slam.
Valdez has been a regular part of the Astros’ rotation; Tuesday’s outing reflected a difficult night that culminated in New York’s 7-1 victory. The Yankees added runs after the grand slam to build the final margin. The Astros and Yankees are scheduled to meet again later in the series, and MLB and team officials may provide additional information about the exchange and any potential disciplinary review in the days ahead.
