Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) will come off the injured list and start on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, according to manager Joe Espada. On the surface, the matchup against the Rockies is excellent. However, there are a couple reasons why fantasy managers should be hesitant to quickly throw the 30-year-old southpaw back into their starting lineups immediately. First off, Valdez has been on the injured list since April 9 with inflammation in his left elbow. Second, he's going to return to the big-league rotation without making a minor-league rehab start, which means he'll likely be limited from a pitch-count perspective. And third, he'll be extra shaky in the thin air in Mexico City.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Tuesday at Wrigley Field and is expected to come off the injured list and start one of the team's games in Mexico City against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. Right-hander Ronel Blanco will start the other game. The 30-year-old Valdez was put on the 15-day injured list on April 9 with left-elbow inflammation. The fact that he's not going to pitch in a minor-league rehab game before returning to the major-league starting rotation should have fantasy managers hesitant to use him in his first start back from the IL, even if the matchup is a juicy one against the Rockies away from Coors Field. The two-time All-Star should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues and was looking good in his first two starts of 2024 before going on the shelf.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) will throw a bullpen session with the team in Chicago this week and he could start one of the two games against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, either this Saturday or Sunday, according to manager Joe Espada. The 30-year-old southpaw was able to throw a 30-pitch bullpen session last Saturday, which was his first time throwing off a mound since left-elbow inflammation landed him on the injured list on April 9. Whether Valdez is able to make his return and start this weekend against the Rockies will be determined by how he looks in his next bullpen session this week. Even though the Rockies are a very enticing matchup, Valdez would be a shaky fantasy play in the altitude in Mexico City if he's activated for a start this weekend.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Saturday. This marks the first time Valdez has thrown off of a mound since he was put on the injured list. The Astros will wait to see how the lefty responds to the bullpen session before taking next steps, though there is a chance he will be activated without needing a rehab start. The Astros are desperate for his return as their staters have posted a 4.93 ERA to begin the season, 5th worst in the majors. The lefty posted a 2.19 ERA in his two starts before hitting the injured list so his return will provide a boost to the Astros, who also welcomed back Justin Verlander on Friday. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on Valdez's progress in the event a rehab assignment isn't necessary.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) played catch on Friday, and manager Joe Espada said the hope is that Valdez could throw off a mound on Saturday or Sunday. Valdez is currently on the injured list while dealing with left-elbow inflammation, but there's no structural damage and he's already throwing again after being sidelined on April 9. The 30-year-old southpaw won't come off the IL when he's eligible next week, but a minor-league rehab assignment may not be far off. In the meantime, his fantasy managers will be hoping he'll return sometime in May. Keep Valdez stashed in all fantasy formats until then. The Dominican starter had picked up where he left off in 2023 through his first two starts before his elbow injury, giving up just three earned runs while striking out 10 in 12 1/3 innings.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) played some light catch at Minute Maid Park on Monday. Head coach Joe Espada said last week that Valdez was getting close to playing catch again. It's a good sign for the 30-year-old southpaw, but he could still have a ways to go before coming off the injured list and rejoining Houston's starting rotation. He's dealing with left-elbow inflammation and is hopeful that he can come off the injured list when he's eligible on April 23, but that remains to be seen. Regardless of how long it is before Valdez returns, he needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy formats. The two-time All-Star allowed just three earned runs on 11 hits while walking six and striking out 10 in 12 1/3 innings in his first two starts of 2024 before his elbow started barking.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (elbow) is scheduled to play catch on Tuesday. The 30-year-old went on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation, but he hopes to return when first eligible. His confidence bodes well, but fantasy managers will still have to wait and see when he ultimately rejoins the rotation. Valdez pitched well to start the season, posting a 2.19 ERA with 10 strikeouts through two starts. He should be rostered everywhere prior to his return.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) is feeling better and could start playing catch in the next few days, according to manager Joe Espada. Valdez is one of the latest high-profile starters to land on the injured list with an elbow injury, but he's only dealing with inflammation and hopefully will be able to avoid season-ending Tommy John surgery. There's currently no timetable for the 30-year-old southpaw to return to Houston's starting rotation, so fantasy managers are going to need to be patient and keep him stashed in an IL spot everywhere. Valdez has looked good in his first 12 1/3 innings this year, giving up only three earned runs while punching out 10. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is replacing Valdez in the rotation for now.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. This news comes after Valdez was scratched from Monday's start due to left elbow soreness. Astros' manager Joe Espada said the plan is to shut down Valdez for a day or two and then he'll be re-evaluated. Blair Henley started in place of Valdez on Monday, so possibly he remains in the rotation. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada and general manager Dana Brown are reportedly optimistic about Framber Valdez's (elbow) left elbow soreness, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Valdez was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday against the Texas Rangers after feeling soreness in the top of his left elbow after playing catch. He then flew to Houston to visit with team doctors. Espada said, "The fact we did not put him on the IL, it's a good sign," while Brown said, "At the end of the day, I think it's going to be fine." This sounds encouraging for fantasy managers, but they should not get their hopes up until they receive more definitive news. Hopefully, Valdez can avoid becoming one of the many victims of season-ending elbow surgeries already happening this season.

Updating a previous report, Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday against the division-rival Texas Rangers after feeling soreness in the top of his left elbow after playing catch. He is in Houston to visit with team doctors, according to manager Joe Espada. It doesn't sound like the 30-year-old southpaw is going to make a start anytime soon, and fantasy baseball managers will just be hoping that he's not the latest big-name starter that's forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2024. The Astros have called up right-hander Blair Henley from Triple-A Sugar Land to make his major-league debut in a start against the Rangers on Monday, but it remains to be seen if he'll be the rotation replacement for Valdez if he needs a stint on the injured list.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez has been scratched from his scheduled start on Monday against the Texas Rangers for unknown reasons, according to multiple sources. In a corresponding move, the Astros have called up right-hander Blair Henley, who will make his major-league debut and start against the Rangers. Henley was the team's seventh-round pick in 2019 out of Texas and went 3-6 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 53 walks and 106 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings over 25 appearances (17 starts) at Double-A Corpus Christi last year. He had allowed three earned runs with four walks and six K's in five innings in his first start with Triple-A Sugar Land this year. Fantasy managers will be risking a lot by streaming Henley against the World Series champs on Monday. Check back later for more information on why the Astros are holding Valdez back to begin the week.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez earned a tough no-decision in a dominant outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Valdez tossed 7 2/3 innings of scoreless ball and allowed six hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Unfortunately for Valdez, the Astros bullpen blew all his hard work and he was unable to receive a victory. Since 2020, Valdez has been one of the most consistent arms in the game and he now owns a 2.19 ERA in two starts this season. Valdez will look to pick up a victory in his next start against the Kansas City Royals next week.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start the team's Opening Day game on March 28 versus the visiting New York Yankees, according to manager Joe Espada. With future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (shoulder) to begin the 2024 regular season on the injured list, Valdez will take the ball for the team's first game in a tough matchup that should have DFS gamers avoiding Valdez. The 30-year-old southpaw started the year off strong in 2023 before slowing down in the second half of the season. He ultimately finished with a 12-11 record in the regular season and a 3.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 198 innings over 31 starts. Valdez's high mileage in recent seasons could finally be catching up to him, but he should still be considered a high-end No. 2 fantasy starter because of his strikeout upside and ground-ball tendencies.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez bounced back nicely during his second spring outing on Monday. Valdez threw four innings, allowing one run in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers. The southpaw struck out four batters while walking one during this outing. It appears Valdez is back on track after a rough spring debut. Fantasy managers should once again expect big things from Valdez in 2024.

Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez will experiment with calling his own pitches via the PitchCom technology this spring, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Citing a desire for increased control over his outings, Valdez sought permission from pitching coach Josh Miller to make his own pitch selection decisions via PitchCom; he will implement this technique for the first time during Friday's Spring Training game against the Washington Nationals. "I want to feel comfortable and throw the pitches with more conviction," Valdez said. "Feel like I have the game in my hands." Presumably, if calling his own pitches works well for the southpaw this spring, he'll continue to do so in the regular season. Valdez dominated to the tune of a 3.50 FIP, 9.09 K/9, 2.59 BB/9, and 54.2 GB% last year, and he figures to remain a strong option throughout fantasy baseball in 2024.

The Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration on Thursday with left-hander Framber Valdez by settling on a $12.1 million salary for the 2024 season, according to a source. Valdez will almost be doubling his salary for this upcoming season. The 30-year-old southpaw has been as durable as they come in the last two seasons, posting a strong 3.13 ERA (3.28 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 394 strikeouts over 399 1/3 innings covering 62 starts for the Astros. He didn't get the results he wanted in the postseason and could have been wearing down late in the season. A high ground-ball rate and plenty of strikeout upside give Valdez a high floor for fantasy managers, although he's best drafted as a No. 2 for your fantasy rotation.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez wasn't terrible in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night, but he still picked up his third loss of the postseason by allowing three earned runs on five hits (two home runs) while walking two and striking out six in five innings. It was an improvement over his last outing when he didn't get past the third inning, but the 29-year-old southpaw was mostly undone by the two long balls he allowed in this one. It's been a frustrating postseason for Valdez, as he's surrendered 13 runs (12 earned) on 19 hits (four homers) while walking six and fanning 17 in 12 innings in his three starts. He'll be hoping the Astros can win Game 7 on Monday night so he'll get another chance to redeem himself in the playoffs.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 6 of the American League Championship Series in Houston on Sunday against the Texas Rangers, according to manager Dusty Baker. Valdez has had a rough go of it in two starts this postseason, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on 14 hits (two home runs) while walking four and striking out 11 in seven innings against the Minnesota Twins and Rangers. He gave up five runs (four earned) in just 2 2/3 innings in the Game 2 loss to the Rangers on Monday. Valdez wasn't exactly great in his three starts against Texas in the regular season, either, posting a 4.32 ERA with 12 runs (eight earned) allowed in 16 2/3 innings while walking eight and striking out 12 to go 1-2.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers on Monday. Veteran Justin Verlander will start Game 1 on Sunday in Houston. Valdez was roughed up by the Twins in his first postseason start against the Twins back on October 8. The 29-year-old allowed five earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. 6-2 loss to the Minnesota. He will look to bounce back against a formidable Texas Rangers lineup.