Framber Valdez has been worth the wait for managers
Framber Valdez has looked terrific since returning from the injured list and patient fantasy managers are being handsomely rewarded with strikeouts, low walk rate and innings.
Video Transcript
DREW SILVA: Back in early March, when Astros' starter Framber Valdez fractured his left ring finger while working in a Grapefruit League game, there was initial talk that he might be done for the entire 2021 regular season. But he avoided surgery, then made steady progress throughout April and May, and is now finally ready to be a contributing member of the starting rotation in Houston, and perhaps a big-time contributor in fantasy.
Valdez posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 76-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 70 and 2/3 innings last season. And he's looked even better than that since his activation from the injured list on May 28. In his second start of 2021 against a dangerous Red Sox lineup, Valdez threw 102 pitches over seven innings of one-run ball. Three of the five singles he allowed did not leave the infield. He struck out 10 batters and induced 18 swings and misses. The curveball was especially nasty.
So congratulations are in order if you were able to patiently wait out the eight-week IL stint on Valdez in what very well may be a record-breaking year for IL stints around Major League Baseball.
