Houston Astros Name Sunday's Starter vs. Texas Rangers

The Houston Astros need a fill-in starter with an injury to Framber Valdez, who was set to pitch against the Rangers.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston Astros reliever Shawn Dubin will start Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers, reports MLB.com. 

Game time is set for 1:35 p.m. It will be Dubin’s Major League debut as a starter.

Dubin is taking the place of Framber Valdez, who was scratched from his expected start on Sunday by Baker before Saturday’s game due to a sprained ankle he suffered earlier in this road trip.

Dubin has made just two appearances for the Astros and has not been involved in a decision. He has a 10.80 ERA. The Astros called him up from Triple-A Sugar Land on June 18 and he made his Major League debut the next day against the New York Mets. He struck out four hitters in three innings but gave up five runs.

His last appearance was on Wednesday against St. Louis, where he threw two innings in relief and gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts.

With Sugar Land he made five starts and nine total appearances and had a 7.96 ERA with 25 strikeouts. He was an 13th round pick by the Astros in 2018 and he is now the sixth Houston draft pick from 2018 to make it to the Majors.

The Astros are hopeful that Valdez will be able to make one more start before the All-Star Break. 

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