Tigers' New Starter Valdez Impresses in Spring Debut

Lefty pitcher shows promise in first outing after signing $115 million contract

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Framber Valdez, the Tigers' new $115 million left-handed pitcher, made his spring training debut and impressed with his crisp and sharp performance, despite some early jitters. Valdez, who has spent the last three weeks throwing bullpens on the backfields, is expected to be a key part of the Tigers' starting rotation this season.

Why it matters

Valdez's strong spring debut is an encouraging sign for the Tigers, who are hoping the 28-year-old southpaw can anchor their starting rotation after signing him to a lucrative multi-year deal in the offseason. As a new addition to the team, Valdez's performance will be closely watched as the Tigers look to improve on their 2025 season.

The details

In his first spring training start for the Tigers, Valdez showed good command of his pitches and was able to work through some early nerves. Despite the jitters, the left-hander was able to deliver a crisp and sharp outing, giving the Tigers' coaching staff reason to be optimistic about his potential contribution to the team this season.

  • Valdez has spent the last three weeks throwing bullpens on the backfields in preparation for the spring training season.

The players

Framber Valdez

A 28-year-old left-handed pitcher who recently signed a $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously I had some first-game jitters, this being my first start as a Tiger. But overall, it felt really good.”

— Framber Valdez (wn.com)

The takeaway

Valdez's strong spring debut is an encouraging sign for the Tigers, who are hoping the left-hander can provide a boost to their starting rotation and help the team improve on their 2025 season performance.