Tigers Pitcher Valdez Fined and Banned Over Intentional Hit on Red Sox Star

Valdez handed six-game ban for hitting story

Valdez was ejected after hitting Story with a 94 mph fastball, sparking a dugout brawl during Boston’s 10-3 win over Detroit.  

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was also suspended one game, while Valdez denied the pitch was intentional in postgame comments...

Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez has received a six-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from Major League Baseball following an intentional pitch directed at Boston Red Sox infielder Trevor Story on Wednesday.

Valdez was thrown out of Tuesday’s game after hitting Story with a 94 mph fastball in the fourth inning, an action that sparked a bench-clearing confrontation during Boston’s 10-3 win over Detroit.

MLB’s senior vice-president of on-field operations, Michael Hill, announced Valdez’s suspension in a short statement.  

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was also suspended for one game and fined in connection with Valdez’s actions.  

Benches clear in the 4th inning of the Red Sox-Tigers game in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/8CigiKH63L

— MLB (@MLB) May 5, 2026

After Tuesday’s game, Dominican left-hander Valdez, who had surrendered back-to-back home runs shortly before the incident, denied that he targeted Story. “It was not on purpose,” Valdez said to U.S. media through an interpreter.

“It might've looked like that, but it wasn't. I was trying to throw a strike after two consecutive home runs, and the pitch just came out of my hand.”

Still, Valdez got little support from his own manager, with Hinch conceding that the incident had left a bitter impression.

“We play a really good brand of baseball here,” Hinch said. “That doesn't feel like it. That's not judging intent. I have no idea.

“But when you go out on the field and end up in those confrontations, you usually feel like you're in your right.

“It didn't feel good being out there.“

Despite a sluggish 18-19 start, the Tigers remain atop the American League Central after reaching the postseason in each of the last two years under Hinch.

AJ Hinch on follow-up conversations with Framber Valdez, potential discipline from MLB and possibility of Red Sox relaying pitches

“It’s all fair. The best way to combat that is to clean up your own glove and your own pitches. If they were, that still falls on us.” pic.twitter.com/CLANxONRtA

— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) May 6, 2026