Sharp outing by top starters fuels Astros' rotation hopes

JUPITER, Fla. -- In the early days of Spring Training, Astros manager Dusty Baker noticed something different about his left-handed ace Framber Valdez.

“I asked him: ‘Why [are you] so quiet?’” Baker said. “Usually you hear him before you see him.”

Valdez might be taking a more business-like approach in the clubhouse, but on the mound, he’s already resumed silencing bats. Valdez looked like vintage Valdez in his spring debut, breezing through two innings in the Astros’ 6-0 win over the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday.

• Houston's rotation depth already being tested

Though Valdez was ticketed for an automatic ball by the pitch timer at one point, he was otherwise effective and efficient, striking out two and needing only 25 pitches (18 strikes) to complete his first Grapefruit League assignment. In short, the All-Star southpaw showed no rust at all coming off a short offseason and the 226 total innings he threw in 2022 (including the postseason).

“I felt really good today,” Valdez said, through an interpreter. “I feel a little bit rushed there in the moment, with the [automatic] ball. But I think that's something that I'm gonna get accustomed to, being able to control those moments.”

The performance was part of an almost laughably difficult early-March assignment for Cardinals hitters. The Astros trotted out their two top starters one after the other, following Valdez with newly extended righty Cristian Javier.

Javier racked up three strikeouts over two scoreless innings of his own, throwing 20 of his 30 pitches for strikes. José Abreu cranked his first home run in an Astros uniform and No. 7 prospect Korey Lee also went deep behind Houston’s co-aces.

“They were sharp,” Baker said. “They were very sharp. That was very impressive.”

Said Abreu, through an interpreter: “They’re both guys I’d rather have on my side than against. They’re both elite guys. … I’m very proud to be part of this group.”

For the Astros, this is a great sign. A good portion of Houston’s hopes for its rotation hinges on Valdez and Javier breaking camp as sharp as possible, especially after learning that Lance McCullers Jr. will miss at least part of the season due to injury. The early reps are particularly important to Javier, as well as to relievers Héctor Neris and Bryan Abreu, who all pitched on Thursday and are soon headed to the World Baseball Classic. Valdez is remaining in camp, at the Astros’ request.

“I felt very good,” Javier said through an interpreter. “All my pitches were doing what they are supposed to. … I've been working really hard just to get these kinds of results. Definitely came to the ballpark and got them today.”

The departure of Justin Verlander to free agency also puts more onus on Valdez and Javier repeating their excellent 2022 campaigns. It’s a responsibility Valdez has been vocal about taking seriously.

Baker just doesn’t want him to take it too seriously.

“I told Framber: I want you to be Framber,” Baker said. “Don’t change from being Framber. Just be Framber.”

Last year, that was one of the best pitchers in the American League. Valdez led the American League in innings, complete games and shutouts, going 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA and setting an MLB record with 25 consecutive quality starts. One way to improve on that? Valdez threw his changeup early and often on Thursday, with an eye toward incorporating that pitch more this season after utilizing it only nine percent of the time in 2022.

Early on in the Grapefruit League at least, it looks like another resource in a repertoire the Astros believe is deep enough to defend their World Series title.

“I think our rotation is really good,” Valdez said. “We are all positive and I can see us making it back to the postseason again. But we're all working to be able to continue staying strong and get back there again.”