Phillips Valdéz

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Phillips Valdéz

|image = Phillips Valdez (35427048213) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Valdéz with the Harrisburg Senators in 2017

|position = Pitcher

|team = Toros de Tijuana

|number =

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|11|16}}

|birth_place = San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 8

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Texas Rangers

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2022 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 3–2

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.56

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 96

|teams =

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2019}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2022}})

}}

Phillips Chalier Valdéz (born November 16, 1991) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox.

Career

=Cleveland Indians=

Valdéz signed as an international free agent with the Cleveland Indians on May 29, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/phillips-valdez-570488?stats=career-r-pitching-minors&year=2019|title=Phillips Valdéz player page transactions|website=MLB.com|access-date=June 7, 2019}} He played for the Dominican Summer League Indians in 2009 and 2010. On November 10, 2010, he was released by Cleveland.

=Washington Nationals=

On December 16, 2010, he signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, but was released on May 1, 2011, and did not appear in a professional game in 2011. Valdéz trained at a Japanese baseball academy in the Dominican that year after being released.{{cite web |author=Levi Weaver |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Phillips Valdez's outing may be forgotten but his story shouldn't be |url=https://theathletic.com/1021346/2019/06/11/phillips-valdez-has-a-forgettable-outing-but-an-unforgettable-story/ |access-date=September 16, 2019 |website=The Athletic}} On May 30, 2012, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. From 2012 through the 2018 season, he played in the Washington organization. During his time with them, he played for the DSL Nationals, Gulf Coast Nationals, Auburn Doubledays, Hagerstown Suns, Potomac Nationals, Harrisburg Senators, and the Syracuse Chiefs.{{cite web|url=https://www.masnsports.com/byron-kerr/2016/10/phillips-valdez-honing-breaking-pitch-to-get-to-next-level.html|title=Phillips Valdez honing breaking pitch to get to next level|website=MASN|author=Byron Kerr|date=October 18, 2016 |access-date=June 7, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://harrisburgsenatorsmlb.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/senators-notebook-phillips-valdez-turning-the-corner-with-more-consistent-arm-slot/|title=Senators Notebook: Phillips Valdez turning the corner with more consistent arm slot|work=harrisburgsenatorsmlb.wordpress.com|date=June 5, 2017|access-date=June 7, 2019}}

In 2018, Valdéz made 31 appearances split between Double–A Harrisburg and Triple–A Syracuse, compiling a 6–7 record and 2.73 ERA with 104 strikeouts across 135 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2018.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 6, 2018 |language=en}}

=Texas Rangers=

On December 21, 2018, Valdéz signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2018/12/19/rangers-add-four-bullpen-options-minor-league-contracts-including-one-98-mph-fastball|title=Rangers add 4 bullpen options on minor-league contracts, including one with a 98 mph fastball|website=The Dallas Morning News|date=December 19, 2018|access-date=June 7, 2019}} He was assigned to the Nashville Sounds to open the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/nashville/news/nashville-sounds-2019-opening-day-roster/c-305734174|title=Sounds Announce Tentative Opening Day Roster|website=MiLB.com|date=March 27, 2019|access-date=May 9, 2019}} With Nashville in 2019, he went 1–7 with a 4.92 ERA over {{frac|78|2|3}} innings.

On June 8, Valdéz had his contract selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time, as the 26th man of a doubleheader versus the Oakland Athletics.{{cite web|url=https://www.lonestarball.com/2019/6/8/18657787/texas-rangers-transactions-joe-palumbo-recalled-david-carpenter-dfad-phillips-valdez-up|title=Joe Palumbo recalled, David Carpenter DFA'd, Phillips Valdez up|author=Adam J. Morris|website=Lone Star Ball|publisher=SB Nation|date=June 8, 2019|access-date=June 8, 2019}} He made his debut that afternoon, throwing two scoreless innings in relief.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rangers-offense-comes-alive-in-game-1-win|title=Palumbo starts strong as Texas' bats take over|author=T.R. Sullivan|website=MLB.com|date=June 8, 2019|access-date=June 8, 2019}} With Texas in 2019, Valdéz went 0–0 with a 3.94 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 16 innings. On November 1, 2019, Valdéz was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mariners-claim-phillips-valdez-off-waivers|title=Mariners claim RHP Phillips Valdéz off waivers from Texas|website=MLB.com|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2019}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On February 23, 2020, Valdéz was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web |url=http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2020/02 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=February 2020 |access-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204161510/http://m.redsox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2020/02 |url-status=dead }} He was optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox on March 8.{{cite twitter |user=RedSox |number=1236700535014768646 |title=5 players were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket |date=March 8, 2020 |access-date=March 8, 2020}} On July 24, Valdéz made his Red Sox debut in the opening game of the delayed-start {{mlby|2020}} season, pitching two scoreless innings of relief in a 13–2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=401225675 |title=Orioles vs. Red Sox |website=ESPN.com |date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020}} On August 25, Valdéz pitched {{frac|1|2|3}} scoreless innings to pick up his first MLB win in a 9–7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TOR/TOR202008250.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays Box Score, August 25, 2020}} Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Valdéz appeared in 24 games, all in relief, compiling a 1–1 record with 3.26 ERA and 30 strikeouts in {{frac|30|1|3}} innings pitched.

Valdéz began the 2021 season as a member of Boston's bullpen.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-2021-opening-day-roster |title=Red Sox finalize 2021 Opening Day roster |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2021}} On June 6, he recorded his first major league save, coming in extra-innings away game against the New York Yankees after closer Matt Barnes had a blown save in the bottom of the ninth.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/red-sox-vs-yankees/2021/06/06/633812#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=633812 |title=Red Sox 6, Yankees 5 (Final Score) |website=MLB.com |date=June 6, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2021}} Valdéz was optioned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox on June 10, after pitching three times in four days.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox-roster-moves-reliever-brandon-brennan-called-up-phillips-valdez-sent-to-woosox/ar-AAKVgWl |title=Boston Red Sox roster moves: Reliever Brandon Brennan called up, Phillips Valdez sent to WooSox |website=MassLive.com |via=MSN.com |date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=June 10, 2021}} He was recalled to Boston on July 23,{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox-roster-moves-hirokazu-sawamura-tricep-placed-on-injured-list-phillips-valdez-called-up-from-woosox/ar-AAMuRSg |title=Boston Red Sox roster moves: Hirokazu Sawamura (tricep) placed on injured list, Phillips Valdez called up from WooSox |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=MassLive.com |via=MSN.com |date=July 23, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2021}} returned to Worcester on August 12, and again recalled to Boston on August 30.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2021/08 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=August 2021 |access-date=August 30, 2021}} On September 12, Valdéz was placed on the COVID-related list.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/phillips-valdez-becomes-red-sox-e2-80-99-12th-positive-test-as-covid-outbreak-continues/ar-AAOmxq4 |title=Phillips Valdez becomes Red Sox' 12th positive test as COVID outbreak continues |first=Amin |last=Touri |work=The Boston Globe |via=MSN.com |date=September 12, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2021}} Overall during the regular season, Valdéz made 28 relief appearances for Boston, pitching to a 2–0 record with 5.85 ERA while striking out 35 batters in 40 innings.

Valdéz began the 2022 season as a member of Boston's bullpen, until being optioned to Worcester on May 2 as MLB rosters contracted from 28 to 26 players.{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2022/05/red-sox-roster-moves-jaylin-davis-phillips-valdez-sent-down-to-woosox-travis-shaw-elects-free-agency.html |title=Red Sox roster moves: Jaylin Davis, Phillips Valdez sent down to WooSox; Travis Shaw elects free agency |first= Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |date=May 1, 2022 |accessdate=May 2, 2022}} He subsequently split time between Worcester and Boston, being recalled and optioned multiple times.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/05 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2022 |accessdate=July 9, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/06 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=June 2022 |accessdate=July 9, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/07 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=July 2022 |accessdate=July 9, 2022}} Valdéz was designated for assignment on July 26.{{cite tweet |user=ChrisCotillo |number=1551974492511027200 |title=Red Sox designated Phillips Valdez for assignment, per WooSox game notes. |date=July 26, 2022 |accessdate=July 26, 2022}} In 13 relief appearances with Boston during 2022, he posted a 4.41 ERA and 0–1 record while striking out 13 batters in {{frac|16|1|3}} innings.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valdeph01.shtml |title=Phillips Valdéz Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 11, 2022}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On July 29, 2022, Valdéz was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners and was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/mariners-claim-phillips-valdez-off-waivers-from-red-sox.html|title=Mariners Claim Phillips Valdez Off Waivers From Red Sox |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=July 29, 2022}} In 18 appearances for Tacoma, he logged a 4.22 ERA with 16 strikeouts in {{fraction|21|1|3}} innings of work. On September 30, Valdez was designated for assignment following the promotion of Brian O'Keefe.{{Cite web|title=Mariners' Phillips Valdez: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mariners-phillips-valdez-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=June 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 30, 2022 |language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Tacoma on October 3.{{Cite web|title=Mariners' Phillips Valdez: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mariners-phillips-valdez-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=June 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=October 3, 2022 |language=en}} Valdez elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=June 23, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}

=Colorado Rockies=

On December 15, 2022, Valdéz signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.{{Cite web|title=Rockies, Phillips Valdez Agree To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/rockies-phillips-valdez-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=August 15, 2023|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 23, 2022 |language=en}} In 22 games (15 starts) for the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he registered a 5–7 record and 8.15 ERA with 49 strikeouts in {{fraction|67|1|3}} innings pitched. On August 15, 2023, Valdéz was released by the Rockies organization.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-08-15 | title=Transactions }}

=Toros de Tijuana=

On April 17, 2024, Valdéz signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 17 de abril de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-17-de-abril-de-2024|access-date=April 20, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 2 starts for Tijuana, Valdéz logged a 3.72 ERA with 5 strikeouts across {{fraction|9|2|3}} innings pitched.

=El Águila de Veracruz=

On April 27, 2024, Valdéz was traded to the El Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 27 de abril de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-27-de-abril-de-2024|access-date=April 29, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 14 starts for Veracruz, he logged a 6–5 record and 4.68 ERA with 30 strikeouts across {{fraction|67|1|3}} innings pitched.

=Toros de Tijuana (second stint)=

On September 20, 2024, Valdéz was traded back to the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-19-y-20-de-septiembre-de-2024 | title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 19 y 20 de septiembre de 2024 }}

Personal life

Valdez has a daughter who was born in August 2022 in Boston. Previously, he married Samantha Gross in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 10, 2017.{{cite web | url=http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/clerk/Services/Pages/MarriageLicenseRecords.aspx | title=Clark County, NV }} During 2019 spring training, Valdéz's younger brother Mario died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 18.