Yankees Defeat Astros 7-1 Amid Valdez Miscommunication Incident

Framber Valdez had a difficult outing against the New York Yankees, surrendering six runs on eight hits, including a grand slam, and accidentally hitting his own catcher, Cesar Salazar, with a fastball in a moment of miscommunication. Valdez, who has struggled since early August with a higher ERA and multiple home runs allowed, emphasized that the hit-by-pitch incident was unintentional. The Astros lost 7-1 to the Yankees, a game highlighted by contributions from Yankees players Trent Grisham and Jazz Chisholm Jr., and strong pitching from Max Fried. Looking ahead, Valdez is projected to start next for the Astros and is a key pitcher as he approaches free agency, with comparisons being drawn to Max Fried's record-setting lefty contract. Industry insiders suggest Valdez could command a lucrative deal exceeding $200 million, given his durability and groundball-inducing pitching style, making him one of the top left-handed starters on the market. The Astros face challenges both on the mound and in contract negotiations as they prepare for upcoming games and the offseason.