Houston\’s Big Day ☄️

August 2, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

Astros Brings Back Justin Verlander Before MLB Trade Deadline & Framber Valdez Throws 93-Pitch No-Hitter

Just how they drew it up! The MLB trade deadline came to a close last night, and on a busy deadline day that was anything but quiet, one team stole the show. The Astros brought back Justin Verlander after a failed Mets experiment that lasted only 100 games. JV is coming off an incredible comeback year where he won the 2022 Cy Young Award with the Astros last season. How did Houston celebrate? Framber Valdez tossed a historic no-hitter a few hours later. Valdez fanned seven and walked one in a 2-0 win against the Guardians. It’s just the second individual no-no of the 2023 season and the 16th in franchise history. He did it in just 93 pitches. And suddenly, the ‘Stros are back in high orbit.

 

Watch: Framber Valdez Throws Historic No-Hitter on Same Day Astros Reunite With Verlander

 

MLB Trade Deadline Tracker

As we stated, the trade deadline was anything but quiet. More than a dozen moves were made and more than 50 players changed teams in the final 24 hours. Here\’s a look at the top moves from Tuesday:

• Astros Acquire RHP Justin Verlander From Mets
• Orioles Acquire RHP Jack Flaherty From Cardinals
• Blue Jays Acquire SS Paul DeJong From Cardinals
• Phillies Acquire RHP Michael Lorenzen From Tigers
• Padres Acquire LHP Rich Hill, &1B Ji Man Choi From Pirates
• Diamondbacks Acquire LF Tommy Pham From Mets
• Red Sox Acquire INF Luis Urias From Brewers
• Phillies Acquire INF Rodolfo Castro From Pirates
• Marlins Acquire 1B Josh Bell (Guardians), INF Jake Burger (White Sox) & LHP Ryan Weathers (Padres)
• Tigers LHP Eduardo Rodriguez Vetoes Trade to Dodgers

Every Move From the MLB Trade Deadline

 

Read More

SI: Eight MLB Trade Deadline Takeaways

B/R: MLB Trade Deadline: Live Grades for All the Biggest Trades

 

MLB Quick-Hitters

Cubs Ring 20 on Reds at Wrigley: The Cubs became buyers just before the deadline, and that looks like the right move. Chicago hung 20 runs on Cincinnati last night in an NL Central showdown (20-9). The Cubs hit seven homers on the night, including two from Dansby Swanson and a scoreboard-breaker from Cody Bellinger. Newcomer Jeimer Candelario also had a 4-for-5 night, and the Cubs are rolling.

 

O’s Rout Jays on Santander Slam: Make it three straight for the Orioles to stay on top of the AL East. Baltimore routed Toronto in Tuesday’s divisional battle (13-3). Anthony Santander hit a grand slam for his 19th of the season, and Gunnar Henderson also went yard. The O’s still hold the top spot in the toughest division in baseball.

 

Strider Snaps Angels’ Spirits: Spencer Strider made more history from the mound on Tuesday with his second 200-K campaign in his first two seasons. Last night’s gem (6.2 IP, 9 Ks, 5 Hits, 1 Run) stumped the Angels on deadline day (5-1). The Halos were 8-2 over the previous two weeks leading up to the trade deadline, but three losses in their last five has L.A. slipping.

 

Photo: Logan Riely / Getty Images