Valdez (3-2) allowed eight runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to take the loss Monday versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez followed up his start of seven shutout innings versus the Athletics with a dud Monday. He was doing fine until the Angels rallied for seven runs in the fifth, including three-run home runs by Nolan Schanuel and Logan O'Hoppe and a solo shot from Jo Adell. Valdez is now at a 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB through 41.2 innings over seven starts this season. He's projected to make his next start on the road in Seattle.

Valdez (3-1) picked up the win over Oakland on Wednesday, hurling seven shutout innings while allowing just two hits and two walks. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez breezed through Oakland's lineup throughout the contest, retiring 11 of the first 12 batters he faced while never allowing a runner to reach second, aside from when Shea Langeliers advanced due to a balk in the seventh. It marked the lefty's second start this season in which he didn't allow any runs, while the two hits allowed marked a season low. Valdez has now won three of his last four decisions (spanning four starts), posting a 21:5 K:BB over that stretch.

Valdez (2-1) earned the win Friday over the Tigers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez allowed two runs on a Matt Vierling double in the third inning before blanking Detroit over his final four frames en route to his second victory of the year. It's an encouraging bounce-back effort from Valdez, who allowed five runs in a loss to Seattle in his previous start. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 3.64 with a 1.35 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB across five starts (29.2 innings). Valdez, who has walked only one batter over his past three starts, is currently scheduled for a home matchup with the A's in his next outing.

Valdez (1-1) took the loss against Seattle on Saturday, allowing five runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez had arguably his worst start of the campaign, as the five runs and nine hits he allowed were both season-worst marks while he recorded a season-low three punchouts. The right-hander also gave up his first two homers of the year, with Cal Raleigh's two-run shot in the sixth inning resulting in the hurler getting the hook. Since being activated from the injured list April 27 following a near month-long absence due to an elbow injury, Valdez has surrendered seven runs on 14 hits across 10.1 frames over two starts.

Valdez allowed two runs on five hits over five innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez was activated from the injured list and made his first appearance since April 2. He coughed up a pair of runs in the second inning but otherwise looked solid. He forced 13 swinging strikes and his sinker touched 96 mph. Through three starts this season, Valdez has produced a 2.60 ERA with a 16:6 K:BB across 17.1 frames. He's currently projected for a home start against the Mariners next weekend.

The Astros removed Valdez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Saturday, per the MLB transaction log.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez is set to start in Sunday's game against the Rockies as part of a two-game series in Mexico City. The 30-year-old southpaw landed on the Astros' 15-day IL on April 9 due to left elbow inflammation. Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, and he will likely be on a pitch count over his first few outings.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Valdez (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Mexico City, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Valdez has been on the IL since April 9 due to inflammation in his left elbow. He built up to 40 pitches in his last bullpen session Wednesday, so his first start back from the injured list will likely be an abbreviated one. In any case, his return will still give Houston's rotation a much-needed boost following the recent move of Cristian Javier (neck) to the IL. Valdez surrendered three earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 12.1 innings across his first two starts before getting injured. Given Valdez's expected workload restriction Sunday in addition to the high altitude in Mexico City likely creating a hitter-friendly environment, fantasy managers may want to hold off on immediately activating the southpaw.

Valdez (elbow) completed a 40-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and is scheduled to pitch Saturday or Sunday against the Rockies in Mexico City, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander landed on injured list with elbow inflammation April 9, and it appears he'll return after missing little more than the 15-day minimum. Valdez will likely face some workload limitations in his first few starts back given he's built up to only 40 pitches, but it will be a welcome return for a Houston rotation that's now also missing Cristian Javier (neck).

Valdez (elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saturday's session marks the first time Valdez has thrown off a mound since elbow inflammation sent him to the injured list April 9. The Astros will wait to see how he recovers before determining his next steps, though manager Joe Espada said it's still possible the 30-year-old southpaw is able to return without embarking on a rehab assignment.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Valdez (elbow) played catch Friday and could throw off a mound as soon as Saturday or Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander quickly resumed throwing after landing on the injured list April 9 with elbow inflammation, and his return to mound work will be another encouraging step. Valdez won't be ready to return from the injured list when first eligible next week, but given his current progression he could seemingly be back with the Astros sometime in early May.