Major League Baseball has suspended Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez following a heated bench-clearing incident during Tuesday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
Valdez initially received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine after MLB determined that he intentionally threw at Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story during the fourth inning of Detroit’s 10-2 defeat at Comerica Park. The suspension was later reduced to five games following discussions between the league and the MLB Players Association.
The controversy erupted after Valdez surrendered back-to-back home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu in what became the worst outing of his MLB career. Moments later, the left-hander struck Story in the back with a fastball, prompting both benches and bullpens to empty onto the field.
Although no punches were thrown, umpires quickly ejected Valdez from the game as tensions escalated between the two teams. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was also suspended for one game and fined by MLB due to the incident.
Valdez denied intentionally targeting Story, insisting after the game that the pitch simply got away from him. However, both MLB officials and members of the Red Sox organization appeared unconvinced by the explanation. Interim Boston manager Chad Tracy described the move as “weak,” while Story also suggested the pitch looked deliberate.
The suspension is another setback for Detroit, which is already dealing with injuries to key pitchers Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Justin Verlander. Valdez, who joined the Tigers this season on a three-year, $115 million deal after leaving the Houston Astros, has struggled to find consistency early in the campaign.
Before the altercation, Boston’s hitters had dominated Valdez throughout the game, tagging him for 10 runs in just over three innings. Some reports later suggested the Tigers believed the Red Sox may have been identifying pitches from second base, though no official complaint was filed.
The suspension will force Valdez to miss his next scheduled start unless weather-related postponements alter Detroit’s rotation plans.
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