On May 5, 2026, Framber Valdez was ejected after hitting Trevor Story with a pitch, resulting in a bench-clearing incident during a game at Comerica Park in Detroit. The ejection came on the heels of a disastrous outing for Valdez, who struggled mightily against the Boston Red Sox.
Before hitting Story with a 94 mph fastball, Valdez had already given up back-to-back home runs. This marked a particularly rough night for the pitcher—he allowed 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits and one walk, failing to record an out in the fourth inning.
This performance stands out as Valdez had never surrendered more than eight runs in any previous game. His struggles were evident as he exited the mound, leaving his team trailing significantly.
The Red Sox ultimately won the game 10-3, further complicating matters for the Detroit Tigers and their new acquisition. Valdez is in his first year with the Tigers after signing a three-year, $115 million contract, which set an MLB record for the highest average annual value guaranteed to a left-handed pitcher at $38.3 million.
After the incident, both teams received warnings against retaliation. Valdez did not protest his ejection and walked off into the clubhouse quietly, acknowledging the gravity of his situation.
Chad Tracy of the Tigers expressed his belief that Valdez’s actions were intentional, stating, “Yes, I do think (it was intentional). I thought it was weak, and I thought everybody saw it.” In contrast, Valdez insisted it was not deliberate: “It was not intentional. It was not on purpose. It might look like that, but it wasn’t.”
A.J. Hinch also weighed in on the matter, saying, “I understand the frustration. I understand the optics. I understand the whole thing.” This incident raises questions about player conduct and accountability within MLB.
Valdez currently holds a 4.57 ERA across eight starts this season—a statistic that reflects both his recent struggles and overall performance since joining the Tigers.
The repercussions of this incident may linger as fans and analysts alike scrutinize both Valdez’s future outings and how this affects team dynamics moving forward.
