The Detroit Tigers are dealing with a massive injury crisis. Now their veteran pitcher, Framber Valdez, just made things much worse. During a devastating 10-3 loss against the Boston Red Sox, Valdez couldn’t keep his emotions in check and caused a bench-clearing brawl. The lash out was so obvious that it left his own manager, A.J. Hinch, too frustrated to defend him.

Usually, no matter the situation, the managers back their players. That is why Hinch’s reaction was so surprising. He refused to back his pitcher.

“We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn’t feel like it,” Hinch said. “It’s not judging intent; I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field, and you end up sort of in those confrontations, you usually feel like you’re in your right. And it didn’t feel good being out there.”

Tuesday night’s game was a disaster for Valdez. He started the game for the Tigers, and straightaway gave three runs in the first, followed by another 5 runs in the third. However, the breaking point came in the top of the fourth inning.

The Red Sox’s Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu scored consecutive homers off Valdez, which might have caused his frustrations to hit the boiling point. Trevor Story entered the plate and was welcomed with a 94 mph fastball that hit him in the back.

It is hardly an accident if the pitcher hits a batter after giving up back-to-back home runs. The same was the case here. The ball was nowhere near the strike zone, and that only made it obvious for Story to take a shot at Valdez. Both men were seen exchanging words, only to be stopped by the Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and the home plate umpire.

The benches and bullpens completely emptied, pausing the game as players entered the field. Fortunately, no punches were thrown, and the field was cleared quickly. But the third base umpire immediately ejected Valdez. The Red Sox broadcasters, although they didn’t hide their frustrations.

“You can’t get them out, so you throw at them, what a joke. The one guy who caused it is hiding in the back,” they said. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t cross up his catcher now because he is mad,” the Red Sox booth added.

The Red Sox’s booth hinted at Valdez’s same act last year when he was with the Astros. Valdez hit Astros catcher Cesar Salazar in the chest with a 93 mph sinker during a loss to the Yankees. The incident occurred after Valdez ignored Salazar’s request to step off the mound, leading to a grand slam. This caused speculation that the throw was an intentional act of frustration.

That could be a reason for Hinch not siding with Valdez this time. “It might look like it was on purpose, but it wasn’t,” Valdez said after the game.

We wonder if that would apply to MLB to decide his penalty. While Valdez was ejected from the game, a risk of suspension is there. “I have no idea,” Hinch said.

The Tigers lost the game on Tuesday by 3-10. If Valdez gets suspended, it would be a complete disaster for the Tigers.

The Tigers can’t afford to lose Framber Valdez now

Manager A.J. Hinch’s frustration with Valdez can be understood as his team’s roster is already in a difficult place.

The Tigers’ pitching staff is battered with injuries. Tarik Skubal is out for the next few months due to surgery on the loose bodies in his pitching elbow. Casey Mize is out for 15 days due to right adductor strain. Justin Varlender is in a 15-day IL with left hip inflammation. So, half of the Tigers’ starting rotation is already not available.

If the league suspends Valdez, Jack Flaherty, and Keider Montero will be the only healthy starting pitchers left on the team. Detroit is already using relief pitchers to cover empty spots in the rotation. Losing Valdez would force the bullpen to pitch even more, which could completely exhaust the remaining relievers.

Even bullpen names like Will Vest and Troy Melton are out with injuries. The team is currently ranked 11th in terms of ERA (3.93), and losing Valdez means they are all now exposed to the rival offenses. However, considering how the act on Tuesday looked obvious, and even his manager didn’t stand with him, we wonder if the home plate umpire would stand by Valdez in his report.

Let’s now see how the Tigers manage this situation in and out.