TORONTO — Cesar Valdez has earned another start with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 32-year-old right-hander posted his first major-league win in more than seven years, throwing six strong innings in a 4-1 win Tuesday over Oakland.
Manager John Gibbons says Valdez will likely start Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.
"I tell you what, he's got something," Gibbons said prior to Thursday's afternoon game against the Athletics. "He can throw anything at any time, he changes arm angles. He's very confident too.
"I like what I've seen."
Filling in for the injured Aaron Sanchez, Valdez gave up one run on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk in a surprisingly smooth 77-pitch outing featuring 51 strikes.
His only other win came in his major-league debut May 3, 2010, for Arizona over Houston.
Valdez had previously made four relief appearances for the Jays following his acquisition via waivers from Oakland on May 5. His only other start this season was a no-decision April 20 pitching for the Athletics
Valdez has spent most of his career in the minors, with 252 games, 193 starts and an 82-62 record. His major league account now stands at 18 games, four starts and a 2-2 record.
He has bounced between Arizona, Pittsburgh, Florida, Houston, Oakland and Toronto twice, with a stop in the Mexican league and a year out of baseball along the way.
The Canadian Press
