Framber Valdez has been diagnosed with a fractured ring finger, and the initial recommendation is that he should undergo surgery which would cost him the 2021 season, per reports. Valdez injured his finger on a comebacker in his spring debut Tuesday.
The 27 year old lefthanded pitcher had a breakout 2020 campaign, putting up a 3.57 ERA and a 2.85 FIP in 11 outings covering 70.2 innings. Valdez finished 11th in the American League Cy Young Award balloting in 2020, putting up a 1.2 bWAR. There were high hopes that he would build on that progress this year, and establish himself as a legitimate top of the rotation starter.