Tigers’ Framber Valdez lands 6-game suspension for meltdown vs. Red Sox

May 6, 2026 - 21:45

The bad news keeps coming for the Detroit Tigers, as they look to avoid a sweep against the Boston Red Sox. Just hours after placing Gleyber Torres on the injured list and days after moving Tarik Skubal there, they have lost another pitcher. Tigers starter Framber Valdez has been suspended for six games for throwing at Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story.

Framber Valdez has been suspended six games and fined for hitting Trevor Story pic.twitter.com/sosRR7M98k
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 6, 2026

In addition to the Valdez suspension, Tigers manager AJ Hinch has been suspended for just Wednesday’s game, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

Valdez allowed ten runs to the Red Sox on Wednesday without recording an out in the fourth inning. After allowing consecutive solo homers to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu to start the fourth, Valdez took matters into his own hands. He threw a fastball right at Story, which earned him an ejection. Now, Valdez will miss his next start.

This is brutal timing for the Tigers, as Skubal does not have a return timeline due to loose bodies in the left elbow. They are one game under .500, which is good enough for a tie atop the AL Central. But without their top two pitchers, things could get ugly in Detroit.

Valdez signed a three-year, $115 million deal with the Tigers in the offseason. He had a great run with the Houston Astros, but his reputation took a hit when he crossed up his catcher, potentially on purpose. Now, just a month into his Detroit tenure, he will miss a start due to suspension.

The Tigers will have Jack Flaherty on the mound against the Red Sox on Wednesday as they look to avoid the sweep. After that, their starting pitching depth will be tested in a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals. With nearly the entire American League stumbling out of the gate, Detroit is still alive in the playoff race.

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