Framber Valdez Named Astros' Opening Day Starter for Fourth Straight Year

The 31-year-old left-hander continues to anchor Houston's rotation as the team prepares to face the Mets on March 27.

Astros manager Joe Espada announced that Framber Valdez will start on Opening Day for the fourth consecutive season, a milestone in franchise history for the left-hander.
Valdez, who finished seventh in AL Cy Young voting last season, posted a 15-7 record with a 2.91 ERA in 28 starts in 2024, solidifying his role as a consistent performer.
The Astros are set to host the New York Mets on March 27, with Mets right-hander Clay Holmes confirmed as the opposing starter.
Valdez enters the season as a free agent-to-be, with no extension talks initiated by the Astros despite his impressive track record and market demand for elite left-handed starters.
Houston's rotation will see changes this year, with Valdez leading a group that includes younger arms like Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco, as well as newcomer Hayden Wesneski.