The Astros are again at the center of a pitch-related controversy. This time, it's internal.
During Houston's 7-1 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday, Sept. 3, Astros ace Framber Valdez hit catcher Cesar Salazar in the chest protector after an awkward back-and-forth and an ensuing cross-up. The circumstances leading up to the cross-up have led some to believe Valdez's errant throw was intentional, and both parties have spoken on the situation.
Here is what to know about Valdez hitting his catcher, whether it was intentional or not, and what each of them has said in the aftermath.
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Framber Valdez hits catcher Cesar Salazar
Valdez hit Salazar in the chest area with the second pitch of Anthony Volpe's at-bat.
After being hit, a visibly frustrated Salazar lifted his facemask before getting a new ball to throw back to Valdez.
Cesar has been here for 5 minutes and is already done with Framber’s BS pic.twitter.com/fKAoJGjAv2
— Space City Sports (@LiveSCS) September 3, 2025
Valdez's pitch to Salazar's chest came just moments after the Yankees took a 6-0 lead off a grand slam. Fans quickly noted that Salazar was motioning for Valdez to back off the pitch right as he threw it.
There’s speculation that Astros pitcher Framber Valdez purposely crossed up his catcher Cesar Salazar and hit him with this pitch after Salazar told him to step off before allowing a grand slam pic.twitter.com/ds3c9MzQV6
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 3, 2025
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Did Framber Valdez purposely hit Cesar Salazar?
There is speculation that the frustration stemming from the grand slam led to Valdez's cross-up and a purposeful hit on Salazar.
Valdez, however, denied those claims.
"It was a pitch I wanted to throw. I called for that pitch. I wasn't able to locate it," Valdez said of the pitch that was hit for a grand slam. "Then afterwards, we just got crossed up. Afterwards, I told him I was sorry."
Valdez clarified that "No, it was not intentional," when asked about the cross-up.
Salazar also denied that they got crossed up, citing distractions from crowd noise made by Yankees fans in Houston as a distraction. The catcher said, "I pressed the wrong button, you know?"
Yeaaaaaah after hearing Cesar, I think he’s covering for Framber pic.twitter.com/BTgXHigxk0
— Space City Sports (@LiveSCS) September 3, 2025
Will Framber Valdez be disciplined?
There has not yet been any indication that the Astros will discipline Valdez. He could be subject to some type of punishment if his cross-up is found to be an intentional act of frustration.