WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros manager Dusty Baker said left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez has returned to Florida and will spend a mandatory period in quarantine before rejoining the club for workouts. Baker said that Valdez is in good spirits after he received word on Wednesday that he won¡¯t need surgery on the fractured left ring finger he suffered on March 2.

¡°He¡¯ll hopefully clear Sunday and then he¡¯ll be in camp to do his conditioning, and he¡¯ll be going to see the hand therapist almost daily,¡± Baker said. ¡°He¡¯s doing great. He¡¯s in great spirits and he looked great.¡±

Valdez had been in Los Angeles to visit with hand surgeon Dr. Steve Shin, who didn¡¯t recommend surgery on the finger. The Astros said there¡¯s no timetable for Valdez¡¯s return, but it¡¯s safe to say he won¡¯t be ready for Opening Day. When he¡¯s cleared to pitch, he would have to build up his pitch count, a process which could take weeks.

¡°It¡¯s not swollen. It hasn¡¯t healed,¡± Baker said. ¡°Everybody¡¯s healing processes are different. ¡­ He¡¯s got some good blood. He¡¯s a different cat, man. He said that through a lot of prayer and his mom been praying for him and stuff, so half of [his] healing is believing. I am convinced of that from my past experiences. I¡¯ve had a number of operations. He¡¯s nothing short of a miracle, actually, to be where he is right now. ... You know he¡¯s going to hit a snag somewhere along the line, but so far he¡¯s doing great.¡±

Valdez, 27, was a breakout performer for the Astros last year, going 5-3 with a 3.57 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 11 games (10 starts) with 16 walks and 63 hits allowed in the regular season. Combined with the playoffs, he threw 94 2/3 innings in 2020, which was the most of any pitcher in the big leagues.

B¨¢ez likely won¡¯t be ready for Opening Day

Baker all but confirmed Friday that veteran right-hander Pedro Báez won¡¯t be ready to pitch on Opening Day. B¨¢ez came down with COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago and spent an extended time in quarantine. He¡¯s playing catch but has yet to throw a bullpen session or face hitters.

¡°He was a little bit behind when he came in,¡± Baker said. ¡°He¡¯s not even close to being on the mound; he¡¯s just playing catch.¡±

The Astros signed B¨¢ez to a two-year deal in December after he appeared in 355 games in relief in seven years with the Dodgers, posting a 3.03 ERA with a 1.096 WHIP and 131 ERA+. Baker hopes his delayed start to the season could help him be fresher in the long run.

¡°With B¨¢ez, him being on the Dodgers, he had a short winters the last three years,¡± said Baker, referring to the Dodgers¡¯ World Series runs. ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s hard to repeat. ¡­ This could possibly help B¨¢ez stay strong throughout the season when we do get him.¡±

B¨¢ez was one of three additions to the Astros¡¯ bullpen this year, joining Ryne Stanek and Joe Smith, who sat out last year. The club also signed Steve Cishek to a non-roster deal. B¨¢ez¡¯s absence opens the door for a long-relief option, such as Luis Garcia, Bryan Abreu or Brandon Bielak, to make the club.

Pettis to miss opener

Baker said third-base coach Gary Pettis won¡¯t be with the team to start the regular season while he undergoes treatment for multiple myeloma. Pettis left the Astros last September and was diagnosed with the disease, which is a cancer of plasma cells. Omar Lopez will begin the season as third-base coach, with Dan Firova at first base.

¡°We¡¯re hoping to have him back sometime in the early summer,¡± Baker said. ¡°He checks in every day and he still in charge of the baserunning and he¡¯s been Zooming with some of our coaches and players and is in charge of the outfield and stuff. He¡¯s very much active and we very much miss him. And he misses us.¡±

Baker said the club hopes to be able to see Pettis in person when it visits Anaheim on April 4-5, if the protocols allow it. Pettis lives in Southern California.

Pettis, 62, has spent the previous six seasons as Houston¡¯s third-base coach after spending eight years with the Rangers as their third-base coach (2013-14) and first-base coach (¡¯07-12). He also served on the Major League staffs of the Mets (¡¯03-04) and White Sox (¡¯01-02) and had a handful of Minor League coaching stops. A five-time Gold Glove winner, Pettis played 11 years in the big leagues with the Angels (1982-87), Tigers (¡®88-89), Rangers (¡®90-91) and Padres (¡¯92).

Worth noting

? Veteran right-hander Zack Greinke, who was away from camp for a few days for personal reasons, has rejoined the club and will start Sunday against the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla.