A.J. Hinch Reveals Adjustment Tigers Should Have Made Sooner
A.J. Hinch admits the Detroit Tigers could have adjusted Framber Valdez's pitching approach sooner after a disappointing first season.
The Detroit Tigers invested $115 million in Framber Valdez, expecting him to become a dominant force in their starting rotation. However, Valdez's first season in Detroit did not go as planned, as he posted a 4.03 ERA across 31 starts. Manager A.J. Hinch has now acknowledged that the organization may have waited too long to make an adjustment that helped Valdez finish 2026 with a much stronger performance.
Valdez's biggest problem throughout the season was his inability to consistently navigate the opening inning, with opponents attacking him early and forcing Detroit to play from behind. The Tigers began experimenting with Valdez's pregame preparation and pitch selection, particularly during his first trip through an opposing lineup, in an effort to make him less predictable.
This adjustment eventually paid off, with Valdez finishing September with a 1.93 ERA, showing improvement in his pitching approach.
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