Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez became the first southpaw in franchise history to throw a no-hitter on Tuesday when he held the Cleveland Guardians to only one walk while facing the minimum 27 batters in a 2-0 win. Valdez only needed 93 pitches to finish the no-hitter, which is the 16th in Astros history and the first complete-game no-hitter since Justin Verlander threw his third career no-hitter on Sept. 1, 2019. Valdez was an All-Star for the second straight season this year, but he had struggled since the All-Star break before Tuesday, posting a 9.00 ERA in three starts while fighting through a calf injury. The 29-year-old southpaw retired the first 12 batters he faced (six strikeouts) before issuing a walk while relying on a dominant sinker and curveball.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that left-hander Framber Valdez (calf) will make the start on Friday against the Oakland Athletics. Valdez was cleared to start this weekend after throwing a successful bullpen session on Wednesday. The 29-year-old southpaw won't have to miss a turn through the starting rotation after he was pulled from his last outing early with a left-calf cramp. He allowed a season-high five earned runs in 6 1/3 innings in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels, but he also managed a career-high 13 punchouts. Valdez is an absolute must-start in an excellent matchup this Friday against the A's. He's gone 7-6 with a strong 2.76 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 117 1/3 innings over 18 starts in 2023.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that the team isn't sure yet if left-hander Framber Valdez (calf) will be able to make his next scheduled start on Friday against the Oakland Athletics. Left-calf cramping caused Valdez to be pulled from his last start early on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, and apparently he's not fully recovered yet. Despite getting hurt last weekend, Valdez managed to go 6 1/3 innings and had a career-high 13 strikeouts, although he did give up a season-high five earned runs. The 29-year-old southpaw will have too good of a matchup to ignore on Friday against the last-place A's if he manages to take the ball. He's gone 7-6 on the year with a strong 2.76 ERA (2.90 FIP), 1.07 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 117 1/3 innings over 18 starts.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (calf) was forced from Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels with a left calf injury. The 29-year-old survived 6 1/3 innings (103 pitches), permitted five runs, and struck out a season-high 13 hitters before leaving. Valdez left shortly after Zach Neto took him deep for a two-run shot while Houston would ultimately go on to lose the contest 13-12 in wild fashion. This injury probably isn't associated with the southpaw's recent ankle problem, which was on his right leg. Astros manager Dusty Baker hopes it's just a cramp. Valdez would tentatively line up to pitch again at some point next weekend against the Oakland Athletics, but fantasy managers will have to monitor this situation closely ahead of that time.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (undisclosed) exited Saturday's meeting with the Angels. The left-hander made it through 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs while striking out 13 batters. But after tossing 103 pitches, he was visited by the trainer and removed from the game. Valdez has been burdened by an ankle issue of late, recently keeping him out of the All-Star game. It's unknown what exactly bothered the 28-year-old. However, it's not an ideal situation, so fantasy managers are hoping for a positive update.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (ankle) won't make an appearance during the upcoming All-Star Game. The left-hander has been battling a sprained ankle over the last week. It appears the Astros want to play it safe with their two-time All-Star. Valdez has been pitching extremely well this season and Houston would like to keep it that way. He's posting a 2.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 116/26 K/BB ratio through 17 starts this season. Fantasy managers should expect Valdez to be fully healed from this ankle injury by the end of the All-Star break.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (ankle) will make his next start on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. It was initially reported that Valdez was set to make his return to the rotation from a sprained ankle on Thursday in the series opener against Seattle, but the 29-year-old southpaw will now get a couple extra days of rest before making his final start of the first half of the 2023 season. Valdez, a two-time All-Star, allowed a season-high-tying four runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out six in six innings his last time out on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He'll be a bit extra risky this weekend coming off his sprained ankle, but the matchup against the M's is too good to ignore. Plus, Valdez has been great this year with a 2.49 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 110 K's in 105 innings (16 starts).

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (ankle) will make his next start on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, according to manager Dusty Baker. Valdez suffered a setback with his sprained right ankle on June 20 and hasn't pitched since then, so he'll be entering his start this week on plenty of extra rest. The 29-year-old left-hander will be a bit more risky in his return, but the matchup against the division-rival Mariners is a good one. He's currently 7-6 on the year with a league-leading 2.49 ERA (2.87 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, 24 walks and 110 strikeouts in 105 innings over his 16 starts. In five starts in June, Valdez gave up 10 runs on 26 hits (only one homer) while walking nine and fanning 33 in 33 innings pitched.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (ankle) won't start on Sunday against the Texas Rangers. The 29-year-old has played well this season, amassing a 7-6 record, a 2.49 ERA, and 110 strikeouts in 16 starts. However, he tweaked his ankle during the June 20 meeting versus the Mets and has been bothered by it since. Skipper Dusty Baker didn't indicate who will be on the bump on Sunday. But the immediate concern is whether or not Valdez will land on the IL.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings in a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Valdez struck out six and walked three while taking the loss. The Houston southpaw notched a solid 14 swinging strikes in the outing but his record dropped to 7-6 with the loss, to go along with a 2.49 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts over 105 innings of work. His next start will come on Sunday against the Texas Rangers.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez fired seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts for his sixth win of the year as Houston topped the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 on Friday. The 29-year-old has been a quality-start generator in 2023, leading the AL with 10 through his 12 starts. Better yet, Valdez has permitted two runs or fewer in nine of his 12 appearances. The workhorse also leads the major leagues with 79 innings, producing a stellar 2.16 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 84 punchouts. The 2022 All-Star's mettle will be tested for a road date with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Valdez holds a shaky 5.50 ERA in 18 career innings against the Jays.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez continued his excellent season versus the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The left-hander achieved his second career shutout with only four hits allowed, while striking out seven in the victory. To be fair, it was against the struggling A's lineup, but still an impressive performance. He now holds a 2.45 ERA and a 72/12 K/BB ratio in 66 innings. Valdez had a breakout season in 2021 and has continued to rise since then. Fantasy managers are loving what they see from Valdez right now.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez turned in another excellent start in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Angels. Valdez pitched eight innings, allowing a single run on three hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with 12 strikeouts. With so much variability among fantasy starters this season, Valdez has stood out as a high-end consistent option. The 29-year-old is now 3-4 with a 2.38 ERA and a 9.68 K/9 rate. He'll look to keep things going in his next start against the Cubs.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said he's giving contract talks "48 hours" in the team's attempt to lock up star left-hander Framber Valdez to a long-term contract extension at spring training. Valdez isn't scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2025 seasons, so the Astros still have time if they can't get something done in the next few days at camp. The 29-year-old southpaw tossed a career-high 201 1/3 innings in the regular season last year and went 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and 23.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts to make the All-Star team for the first time in his career. Fantasy managers shouldn't consider him an ace, but he's a solid second starter heading into his sixth MLB season.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez hasn't had any contract-extension talks with the team this offseason in the lead-up to spring training. New general manager Dana Brown and the Astros front office will surely start talking extension with Valdez at some point this spring. They just signed fellow starter Cristian Javier to a five-year, $64 million extension last week. Valdez is 29 years old and isn't scheduled to reach free agency until 2026. The Dominican southpaw made his first All-Star team in 2022 and was downright unhittable in the postseason on his way to winning a World Series title. He finished the regular season with a 17-6 record, 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and 23.5 percent strikeout rate in a career-high 31 starts over a league-high 201 1/3 innings. RotoBaller currently has Valdez ranked as the No. 25 fantasy starter in 2023.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez won't pitch in this year's World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, according to new general manager Dana Brown. It makes total sense, as Valdez tossed a career-high 201 1/3 innings in the regular season in 2022, which was a big jump from his previous career-high of 134 2/3 from the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old southpaw was one of the best pitchers in baseball, too, in a breakout season with a 17-6 record, 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and career-high 23.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts overall. RotoBaller currently has Valdez ranked as the No. 25 fantasy starter in all of baseball.

The Houston Astros and left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez agreed on a one-year, $6.8 million deal on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Valdez was excellent in his fifth season with the Astros and earned his first All-Star selection. He finished the year 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and 23.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts. Valdez led the league with three complete games, one shutout, 201 1/3 innings pitched, 827 batters faced and 0.5 home runs allowed per nine innings. The 29-year-old southpaw was absolutely dominant in Houston's run to another World Series championship as well. He'll enter the 2023 season as an SP2 for fantasy managers.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 6 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies when the series shifts back to Houston on Saturday. The 28-year-old Dominican southpaw was outstanding during the regular season, going 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP and a 194:67 K:BB in a league-high 201 1/3 innings over 31 starts as a first-time All-Star. He's carried that success over into the postseason, allowing just five runs (three earned) on 12 hits while walking six and striking out 24 in 19 innings over three starts. In the Game 2 win over the Phillies in the World Series on Saturday, Valdez allowed just one run on four hits while walking three and striking out nine in 6 1/3 frames.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 2 of the World Series in Houston on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The one-two punch of Justin Verlander and Valdez has been dominant all year. Valdez finished the regular season 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP, a career-high 194 strikeouts and 67 walks in 201 1/3 innings over 31 starts as a first-time All-Star. He's been even better in two playoff starts against the Mariners and Yankees, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits while walking three and striking out 15 in 12 2/3 innings to pick up one win. The 28-year-old Dominican southpaw threw five shutout innings with one walk and 10 strikeouts in a win against the Phillies in his only start against them in 2022, which came on Oct. 5.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was at his best Thursday night, giving up just two unearned runs on four hits and no walks in seven innings to lead the team to a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees. Valdez struck out nine batters and took the win. Through 12 2/3 postseason innings this year, Valdez has a 1.42 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 15 strikeouts. His next start will either come late in this series, or in the World Series if the Astros can finish the job and knock out New York.