Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from Tuesday's game after hitting Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a pitch immediately after allowing back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning.
The HBP - a 94-mph up-and-in fastball - prompted both dugouts to empty, although no punches were thrown. Once order was restored, the umpires huddled and ejected Valdez.
After giving up back-to-back home runs, Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story, and the benches cleared 👀
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 5, 2026
Valdez has been ejectedpic.twitter.com/HPtJbMcny5
"It was not intentional. It was not on purpose. It might look like that, but it wasn't," Valdez said postgame through a translator, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. "I was trying to throw strikes after the two consecutive home runs. I was trying to go back in the zone and that pitch came out of my hand."
"I do not expect to get suspended," he added, according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen.
However, both Story and Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy weren't buying what Valdez was selling.
"Yes, I do think (it was intentional)," Tracy said after his team's 10-3 win, per Starr. "I thought it was weak, and I thought everybody saw it. Their side, our side, I think everybody saw it. And yeah, it was weak."
"I think we all know what's what, and yeah, it's pretty undisputable," Story told reporters.
He added, "I was in there ready to hit and then (the pitch) showed up way behind me and off the numbers. Like I said, I think we all know what's what."
Valdez gave up solo home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu to start the fourth inning. Contreras enjoyed his round-tripper and punctuated it with an emphatic bat toss.
Come for the bat flip, stay for the fan catch! pic.twitter.com/e2t5O02irD
— MLB (@MLB) May 5, 2026
"We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn't feel like it," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. "I'm not judging intent. But I know when you go out on the field in those confrontations, you usually feel like you are in your right. It didn't feel good being out there."
A.J. Hinch on Framber Valdez ejection: “I understand. I understand the frustration. I understand the optics. I understand the whole thing.”
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 6, 2026
The ejection ended a disastrous outing for Valdez, who allowed 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits and three homers over three-plus innings, raising his ERA to 4.57.
Last year, Valdez - then with the Houston Astros - drew controversy when he appeared to bean his catcher in the chest with a pitch. His agent denied that Valdez's actions were intentional.
Detroit signed the two-time All-Star to a three-year, $115-million contract in February.
Brenan Hanifee replaced Valdez on the mound after he was tossed.
