Left-hander Framber Valdez was named the Houston Astros’ Opening Day starter for a fourth time, manager Joe Espada announced Sunday.
In the Astros’ opener last season against the New York Yankees at home, Valdez gave up three runs on five hits with six walks and five strikeouts over 4⅔ innings of a no-decision. Houston lost 5-4.
Valdez, 31, did not give up a run in his first two Opening Day starts, ending up with a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox in 2023 and a win against the Los Angeles Angels on the road in 2022, the start of a World Series run for the Astros.
In 28 starts last season, Valdez was 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA, while finishing seventh in American League Cy Young Award voting. In seven seasons with Houston, he is 68-41 with a 3.30 ERA and 866 strikeouts in 888⅔ innings.
He struck out six while pitching four scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.
The Astros open their 2025 schedule March 27 at home against the New York Mets.
The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.
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