The Houston Astros are at the center of attention in the baseball world after the Tuesday night incident against the New York Yankees. Astros pitcher Framber Valdez and catcher Cesar Salazar got crossed up, and Valdez hit Salazar in the chest with a pitch.
Speculation grew that it was done intentionally, and while Valdez and Salazar indicated it was an accident after the game, the initial reaction of Valdez on the mound led many to believe it was done on purpose.
The next day, Astros general manager Dana Brown spoke on the incident, commenting on whether it was done intentionally or not. Brown criticized Valdez for the cross-up on The Sean Salisbury Show on SportsTalk 790. His comments also indicate that Valdez crossed up Salazar intentionally.
Dana Brown Comments on Valdez Crossing Up Salazar
"I believe he was absolutely frustrated," Brown said of Valdez, "sometimes you get angry that you can't see straight and he crossed him up. ... Let's not fault Framber for being a competitive mean guy, but he needs to keep it under control."
Brown's comments indicate that not only was Valdez frustrated in the moment, after giving up the Grand Slam to Trent Grisham, but he let it carry over to his next pitch. While Brown calls Valdez's emotions "being competitive," he shouldn't let those emotions get the better of him, which is what Brown is criticizing Valdez for.
This comment from Brown, while not directly, indicates that Valdez wasn't under control, which in turn led to Salazar being crossed up and hit by Valdez's pitch.
From Salazar calling for Valdez to step off the mound, to Valdez giving up the Grand Slam, to then crossing up Salazar on the next pitch, it wasn't a good look for Valdez.
Brown all but confirmed that Valdez let his emotions get the better of him, and in turn, hit Salazar with a cross-up pitch. Both Salazar and Valdez mentioned it was an accident postgame, but the incident was not a good look for Valdez.
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It's also not the first time Valdez has had an incident with a catcher, as in 2024, he had a disagreement with Yanier Diaz over what pitch to throw. Earlier in 2025, Valdez also called out the defensive alignment for giving up a run in a game.
While Valdez has been good on the mound, pitching to a 3.40 ERA and a 12-8 record, this incident, combined with his prior moments, does not help him amid a contract year.
Browns criticism of Valdez, over not being able to keep his emotions in check, is a valid critique, and one that indicates that Valdez, at least somewhat, crossed up Salazar intentionally.
Houston needs Valdez to be a key piece of the rotation in October, and while this moment is a bad look for Valdez, he needs to put it behind him and help the Astros make a deep postseason run this season in what could be his final year in Houston.
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