HOUSTON – The agent for Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez vehemently denied allegations that Valdez intentionally hit catcher Yainer Diaz with a 93 mph fastball during Tuesday’s game against the Texas Rangers. The incident sparked speculation about a potential intentional act, but Valdez’s agent called such suggestions ”preposterous” adn “misguided.”
According to reports, valdez and Diaz were engaged in conversation when reporters entered the clubhouse following the game, and both players stated the incident was unintentional. They attributed the errant pitch to Diaz mistakenly selecting the wrong pitch on his PitchCom transmitter, and confirmed they had resolved the issue after the inning and again after the game.
Astros General Manager dana Brown,speaking to 790 AM in Houston on Wednesday,acknowledged Valdez’s frustration but defended his character. “I believe that he was absolutely frustrated…you get frustrated,you get rattled,you’re angry. And these things happen,” Brown said.”Sometiems you get so angry you can’t see straight.And he crossed him up. They had a conversation after the game, and they squashed it.”
Manager Joe Espada revealed he held a meeting with both Valdez and Diaz immediately after Tuesday’s game, seeking a clear understanding of the events. “I really wanted to get down to…asking [Valdez] to step off [the mound],” Espada explained.”I wanted to know about the thought process…and I wanted to hear from both of them simultaneously occurring. I wanted to have a conversation face to face as I wanted to hear the truth about the whole entire thing that happened in that inning.”
Astros advisor Carlos Cabrera further emphasized Valdez’s innocence, stating, “In no way, shape or form does the starting pitcher intentionally try to hurt his teammate.” Cabrera likened the incident to a pitcher shaking off a pitch, adding, “This is just not an issue…But it does become an issue when people question Framber’s quality as a teammate.”
Espada expressed a desire to move past the controversy. “I want to put this behind us,” he said. “There is a lot of speculation…and I don’t like it. A lot of that stuff is not true.”
The incident occurred during a game on September 3, 2024. Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.
