LAKELAND, FL – Left-hander Framber Valdez wants everyone involved with the Detroit Tigers to understand something about his controversial cross-up with Houston Astros catcher César Salazar that occurred in September 2025 – and followed him into free agency.
His message?
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It wasn’t intentional.
“It was simply something that happened,” Valdez said in Spanish on Wednesday, Feb. 11, as translated by MLive’s Evan Woodbery. “I apologized to him because it was something accidental in the middle of the game. That’s simply what happened. It was not intentional. It was nothing personal. I feel good because everyone who knows me knows that it didn’t happen that way.”
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez, center right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during Valdez’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.
It looked like it happened on purpose.
The incident occurred Sept. 2, 2025, in the fifth inning of a game between the Astros and New York Yankees. Salazar expected a breaking ball below the strike zone, but Valdez threw a fastball. The 92.8 mph sinker from Valdez hit Salazar in the chest, only Valdez didn’t react.
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Both players later said it wasn’t intentional.
The cross-up happened two pitches after Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham hit a grand slam off Valdez’s sinker, located down the middle. On that pitch, Valdez tried to shake off Salazar, then Salazar motioned for Valdez to step off the mound and reset. One problem: Valdez ignored him and threw the pitch that resulted in the home run.
“I want fans to know that these things happen,” Valdez said. “I got crossed up with the catcher. It was not intentional. It happened in a moment of adrenaline, a tense moment. Salazar and I talked about it. We’re good, thank God.”
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The controversial cross-up is likely the reason why Valdez’s market fell apart in free agency. The 32-year-old entered the offseason projected to sign a long-term contract to carry him through the rest of his career, but he stayed on the open market until Feb. 4, just seven days before pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.
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He had to settle for a short-term contract.
With the Tigers, Valdez is locked in for two years and $75 million with a $35 million player option for 2028 and a $40 million mutual option for 2029 (including a $5 million buyout).
Despite the controversy, the Tigers have welcomed Valdez into their clubhouse.
One of the biggest reasons for their success over the past two seasons has been a selfless, team-first culture, as established by manager A.J. Hinch.
Hinch managed Valdez from 2018-19 with the Astros, a couple of years before Valdez established himself as one of the best left-handers and most durable pitchers in baseball.
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He isn’t worried about Valdez’s character.
“Framber, he’s an incredible competitor,” Hinch said. “Sometimes, the emotions come with that. I do like that. I want to let him speak for himself when it comes to what’s left behind, but I’m excited to add him. I know he brings it every five or six days and wants to pitch deep into the game. The production is there. The personality is there. His preparation is incredible. You put all that together, we’re bringing him into our clubhouse with open arms and expecting him to do his part to help us win.”
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As for catcher Jake Rogers, he isn’t going to address the controversial cross-up with Valdez.
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“I’m not going to talk to him about it,” Rogers said. “It’s just going around, and it’s crazy, and I’m sure it got blown out of proportion. … He gets his blinders on, and when he gets on the mound, you don’t really mess with him. That’s how he’s been his whole career. He can munch innings with the best of them.”
Rogers has personal experience with Valdez.
They were teammates in the minor leagues in the Astros’ organization in 2016 and 2017.
“I’ve never had a problem with Framber,” said Rogers, one of the leaders in the Tigers’ clubhouse. “Again, this was 2016 and 2017, it seems like a decade ago, which it is a decade ago. The times we got together were awesome. I’ve never had one problem with Framber.”
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In this case, Valdez wants everyone to know the incident wasn’t intentional. He also wants to put the past behind him and focus on helping the Tigers win in the 2026 season.
The Tigers are moving forward with him.
“I’m excited to catch him,” Rogers said, “and I’m excited to have him on our side.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Framber Valdez explains controversial cross-up to Detroit Tigers