MLB Weekly Digest August 7th Edition: Valdez Throws No-Hitter

Read Time:3 Minute, 7 Second

The prior week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League making history, a first baseman being placed on the injured list with a head injury, and a pitcher in the National League dealing with shoulder inflammation.

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Framber Valdez Tosses No-Hitter Against Guardians

Framber Valdez no-hits the Guardians on just 93 pitches! pic.twitter.com/RazcvEQkL6

— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2023

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez made history last week in his outing against the Cleveland Guardians as he tossed a no-hitter.

MADE HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/dCwN2X7eul

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 2, 2023

The left-handed pitcher needed just 93 pitches to complete the no-hitter.

He is the first left-hander in Astros history to complete a no-hitter.

Valdez tallied seven strikeouts while walking just one batter.

This marked the fifth no-hitter by the Astros since 2019.

Martin Maldonado, the catcher for Valdez, has caught three different no-hitters for the Astros.

The no-hitter by Valdez is the first solo no-no by an Astros pitcher since Justin Verlander accomplished the miraculous feat against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 1, 2019, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

Framber Valdez has thrown the 14th no-hitter in Astros history and the first solo no-no since Justin Verlander on Sept. 1, 2019 against the Blue Jays. He needed 93 pitches and faced the minimum 27 batters in a 2-0 win against the Guardians.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 2, 2023

Valdez is having a solid season pitching for the Astros.

He has compiled a 3.07 ERA in 135 innings pitched (21 starts) with 141 strikeouts, 33 walks issued, 11 home runs surrendered, a 139 ERA+, 3.11 FIP, and a 1.07 WHIP.

This marked the third no-hitter of the season, as New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German tossed a perfect game, while Matt Manning, Alex Lange, and Jason Foley threw a combined no-hitter for the Detroit Tigers.

The exceptional start by Valdez is one that he will remember for a long time.

New York Yankees Place First Baseman Anthony Rizzo on IL with Concussion Symptoms

The New York Yankees have placed first baseman Anthony Rizzo on the injured list due to concussion symptoms, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Anthony Rizzo to the IL (concussion) #Yankees

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 3, 2023

Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned a couple of days ago the concussion is related to a collision with San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. during a game in late May, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

Aaron Boone said Anthony Rizzo is going on the IL with a “likely concussion” that they’ve traced back to the Tatis collision.

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) August 3, 2023

Rizzo said he had been feeling tired lately, and recent testing showed his reaction time was slower.

He did go through MLB concussion protocol at the time of the collision and passed all testing, per Hoch.

Boone said that Rizzo went through MLB concussion protocol at the time of the injury and passed all testing then. In recent days he has complained of fogginess.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 3, 2023

Rizzo has struggled for the Yankees during the 2023 season, as indicated by his .244 batting average and .706 OPS in 99 games with 14 doubles, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs, and a 96 OPS+.

He posted a .224 average and .817 OPS in 130 games with 21 doubles, 32 home runs, 75 RBIs, and a 132 OPS+ last year with the Yankees.

The Yankees are optimistic that Rizzo can return later in the season as they need him healthy to make a push for the postseason.

San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher Joe Musgrove Shut Down Due to Shoulder Inflammation

The San Diego Padres have shut down starting pitcher Joe Musgrove for three weeks after an MRI revealed inflammation in the capsule of his right shoulder, president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said several days ago, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.

Joe Musgrove underwent an MRI on his right shoulder that revealed inflammation in his capsule, A.J. Preller said. He’ll be shut down for three weeks.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) August 4, 2023

The loss of Musgrove is enormous for the starting rotation of the Padres.

The right-hander has posted a 3.05 ERA in 97 1/3 innings pitched (17 starts) with 97 strikeouts, 21 walks, 10 home runs allowed, a 134 ERA+, 3.54 FIP, and a 1.14 WHIP.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com