UPDATE: Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez has confirmed he did not intentionally hit catcher Cesar Salazar with a pitch during a game against the New York Yankees on September 12, 2023. Valdez expressed his regret and apologized for the incident, which raised questions among fans and analysts alike.
During the fifth inning, Valdez threw a 93 mph pitch that struck Salazar in the chest, following a previous at-bat where Salazar and Valdez appeared to have a miscommunication. The Astros were facing a significant deficit, trailing 6-0 at the time, after Yankees player Trent Grisham hit a home run on the previous pitch.
Valdez emphasized, “It was not intentional,” speaking through an interpreter after the game. He clarified that he and Salazar had a misunderstanding about the pitch call, stating, “What happened with us, we just got crossed up.” Valdez took full responsibility and reassured fans that there were no hard feelings between him and Salazar.
“We were able to talk through it,” Valdez said. “Everything’s good between us. It’s just stuff that happens in baseball.”
Salazar echoed Valdez’s sentiments, asserting that their relationship remains strong. “No, me and Framber we actually have a really good relationship,” he stated. He explained that the stadium noise had contributed to the miscommunication, saying, “I thought I pressed the button, but I pressed the wrong button.”
This incident occurred in the backdrop of the Astros’ disappointing performance, which culminated in a 7-1 loss to the Yankees. Fans are left questioning the dynamics on the field as the Astros continue to push for a strong finish this season.
As the MLB playoff picture becomes increasingly critical, all eyes will be on Valdez and Salazar in the coming games. Will this incident affect team morale or performance? Stay tuned for updates as the Astros look to recover from this setback and secure their postseason aspirations.
