Tigers’ New Star Pitcher Valdez Shines in Spring Training Debut Despite Loss

Detroit Tigers' newly signed pitcher Framber Valdez delivered a strong performance in his first spring training appearance, throwing three shutout innings against Atlanta. The former Houston Astros ace, who signed a $115 million deal, is set to start Detroit's home opener next month.

Detroit Tigers’ marquee offseason signing Framber Valdez delivered a stellar first spring training performance despite his team falling 5-2 to the Atlanta Braves in Lakeland, Florida.

The left-handed pitcher, who inked a lucrative three-year, $115 million deal with Detroit after eight seasons in Houston, dominated over three innings without surrendering a run. Valdez struck out three batters while giving up only two hits, delivering 30 strikes on 43 total pitches. His most impressive frame came in the second inning when he recorded three consecutive strikeouts. The veteran hurler is slated to take the mound for Detroit’s season opener at home on April 3.

Atlanta extended their advantage to 3-0 when DaShawn Keirsey Jr. launched a two-run blast in the sixth frame. Braves pitcher Bryce Elder matched Valdez’s effectiveness early, tossing three scoreless innings while surrendering three hits and recording one strikeout.

Detroit avoided a complete shutout when Brett Callahan connected for a solo homer in the seventh inning. Tomas Nido added another long ball for the Tigers in the ninth frame.

Pirates 4, Rays 1

Pittsburgh maintained their exceptional spring form with consecutive home runs from Yordany De Los Santos and Javier Rivas in the seventh inning, defeating Tampa Bay in Bradenton, Florida.

The Pirates now boast the top record across both spring leagues at 9-2. Pittsburgh starter Mike Clevinger, who compiled 38 victories for Cleveland between 2017-19 before battling injury issues, tossed three scoreless frames while striking out three.

Pittsburgh grabbed an early 1-0 advantage in the third when Alika Williams crossed home plate on a botched pickoff throw by Tampa Bay’s Mason Englert. The Rays evened the contest in the fourth on Logan Davidson’s single to left field.

Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 6

Nathan Hickey delivered the decisive blow with a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning, breaking a 5-5 deadlock to lift Boston past Toronto in Dunedin, Florida.

Mickey Gasper and Allan Castro each collected two hits and home runs for Boston, with Gasper contributing three RBIs as the Red Sox accumulated 12 hits against Toronto’s pitching staff. Boston’s Johan Oviedo struck out four while allowing just two hits across three innings.

Toronto mounted a five-run rally in the fifth inning to claim a 5-4 lead, highlighted by Addison Barger’s grand slam to right field.

Cardinals 3, Marlins 2

Colton Ledbetter’s clutch two-out single in the ninth inning brought home pinch-runner Michael Antico, giving St. Louis a narrow victory over Miami in Jupiter, Florida.

St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante surrendered one run on three hits while striking out two over three innings. The Cardinals rallied to tie the game 2-2 in the seventh when Yohel Pozo and Jeremy Rivas each drove in runs.

Miami’s Kemp Alderman went 2-for-3 with a fourth-inning home run. Marlins starter Adam Mazur was nearly perfect through two innings, allowing only one walk.

Nationals 3, Astros 3

Houston’s disappointing spring continued as they fell to 1-6-3 after settling for a tie with Washington in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Astros starter Hunter Brown gave up one run while striking out three in 2⅔ innings. Houston scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to force the tie, with the equalizer coming on James Nelson’s single to left.

Washington catcher Keibert Ruiz broke a 1-1 tie with a solo homer to right in the fourth inning. Brady House, who finished 2-for-3, added an RBI double to left field one inning later. Andrew Alvarez, who made five appearances for Washington last September, pitched three scoreless middle innings with three walks and three strikeouts.