SEATTLE -- The Astros are swapping out left-handed pitchers and have called up Framber Valdez, their 11th-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Fresno to take the roster spot of Cionel Perez, who was optioned to Fresno following Monday's loss to the Mariners.
Valdez will be making his first appearance on a Major League roster after going 6-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 22 games (14 starts) this year, with all but two appearances coming with Double-A Corpus Christi. The 24-year-old threw 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 14 for Fresno in his most recent appearance, so he would be ready to pitch multiple innings Tuesday in a game the Astros are patching together with relievers (Brad Peacock is starting).
The Astros signed Valdez out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 when he was 21 years old.
Perez, Houston's No. 4-ranked prospect, has appeared in six games over two stints with the Astros this year, allowing three runs in seven innings. He's spent most of the season in the Minors, going 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 16 games (11 starts) for Corpus Christi. Perez has also appeared in one game for Fresno.