UPDATE: Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez is speaking out following a painful 2-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on September 25, 2023, expressing frustration over the team’s defensive positioning during a critical sixth-inning play.
With two outs in the sixth, Valdez walked Josh Bell, setting the stage for Nathaniel Lowe’s groundball double that scored Bell and tied the game at 1. Valdez criticized the decision to shift right fielder Taylor Trammell towards center field, rather than positioning him in right field where he could have made a play. “I saw the right fielder playing center field and, you know, we have a center fielder for that,” Valdez stated through a translator. “I feel like the right fielder should have been playing right field. I was uncomfortable with that.”
Valdez, who tied a season high with 12 strikeouts during the game, became the 10th pitcher in franchise history to reach 1,000 career strikeouts, now standing at 1,007. Despite his individual achievement, the loss marks a challenging moment for the Astros, extending their losing streak to a season-high five games.
When asked if he discussed the defensive alignment with the coaching staff, Valdez replied, “I don’t have to ask the coaches about that. I feel like baseball is a game of common sense. With me as a lefty pitcher, they don’t hit a lot of fly balls against me.” His comments reflect a deep-seated concern about the team’s defensive strategies as they approach the final stretch of the season.
In a pivotal moment of the game, Riley Adams hit a solo homer in the seventh inning, sealing the victory for Washington. The Astros now face mounting pressure as they strive to reverse their fortunes before the postseason.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Astros address these strategic concerns moving forward. With the playoffs approaching, every game counts, and clarity in defensive decisions will be crucial for Houston’s success.