JOSÉ URQUIDY NEWS

Elects free agency The Astros outrighted Urquidy (elbow) on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Urquidy never pitched in the majors during the 2024 regular season. He started on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, and he was able to ramp up to rehab assignments in May. However, he suffered a setback during his assignment, and after further evaluation and consultations, he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early June. Urquidy could pitch again late during the 2025 regular season, but it will likely be with another organization that doesn't require his services at the major-league level during that campaign. He appeared in 16 games (10 starts) for the Astros during the 2023 regular season and posted a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 63 innings.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Team hopes for late-July return Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy (elbow) is projected to return in late July next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June, so a return in a little over a year would be aggressive. Of course, any timetable at this juncture of recovery is a rough approximation. Urquidy is arbitration-eligible for a final time this offseason and it would seem as though the Astros plan to tender him a contract.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Houston starters Cristian Javier and José Urquidy both scheduled for Tommy John surgery

Houston starters Cristian Javier and José Urquidy are both scheduled to have Tommy John surgery, a big blow to an Astros team trying to rebo...

JUNE 5

Astros getting second opinion on Urquidy HOUSTON -- Responding to an ESPN report posted Monday that said José Urquidy could be headed for his second Tommy John surgery, Astros offic...

JUNE 3 • MLB.COM

Being evaluated Tuesday Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Urquidy (forearm) will be evaluated by team physicians Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Urquidy was nearing his return from his rehab assignment, but he left Friday's outing with Triple-A Sugar Land after aggravating his right forearm. The severity of the right-hander's injury should be known following Tuesday's evaluation.

MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Making next rehab start Friday Uquidy (forearm) will make a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander threw 59 pitches in his previous outing Saturday with Double-A Corpus Christi and is expected to build up to 70-to-75 pitches Friday. If all goes well, Urquidy could return from the 15-day injured list and step into Houston's rotation during its four-game series in Seattle next week.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Starting rehab stint Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Urquidy (forearm) is likely to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle...

Impact The right-hander threw live batting practice Tuesday and has now been cleared to pitch in minor-league games. Urquidy was shut down with a forearm strain in mid-March and will likely require a handful of rehab starts before making his season debut for the Astros.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Faces hitters Wednesday Urquidy (forearm) threw live batting practice before Wednesday's game against Cleveland, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Urquidy was able to throw 30 pitches without any problems during Wednesday's session. The 29-year-old righty will likely throw one more round of BP before embarking on a rehab assignment in the minors, though it's unclear when that may be.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Throws off mound Tuesday Urquidy (forearm) threw off the bullpen mound at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's a big step as Urquidy continues to work his way back from a right forearm strain. He will progress to facing hitters and eventually go out on a rehab assignment, although it's not clear yet when that might happen. A Houston rotation that's been hit hard by injury could use Urquidy, but it won't rush the right-hander.

APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE

Out with forearm strain Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Urquidy has been diagnosed with a forearm muscle strain and won't be available for the start of the regular season, Matt Kawahara of the...

Impact Urquidy has been shut down from throwing for at least the next few days after he suffered the forearm strain during his most recent spring training outing Saturday. Despite turning in an ugly 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 63 innings in the majors in 2023, Urquidy was in position to break camp as a member of the Astros' Opening Day rotation before sustaining the arm injury. With Urquidy, Justin Verlander (shoulder), Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) all set to open the season on the shelf, Houston should have back-end rotation spots available for both J.P. France and Ronel Blanco for much of April, if not longer. Unless Urquidy is able to resume his throwing progression before the end of spring training, he'll most likely spend more than the minimum 15 days on the injured list.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Seeing doctors in Houston Urquidy (elbow) will fly to Houston on Saturday to see the Astros' team doctors, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Urquidy removed himself from his appearance in a minor-league game Saturday due to discomfort in his right elbow. The pain hadn't disappeared when he arrived at the Astros' complex Saturday, so he will head back to Houston in order to get checked out. Should Urquidy end up having to miss time to begin the season, the Astros may further intensify their push to sign Blake Snell.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

2023 MLB odds: How to bet Astros-Rangers Game 4; ALCS pick, prediction

FOX sports betting analyst Will Hill gives his analysis and best bet for Game 4 of the ALCS, in the latest edition of this Lone Star State s...

OCTOBER 19, 2023

Starting Game 4 Urquidy will start Wednesday against the Twins in Game 4 of the ALDS, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Impact Urquidy seemed to be slated for a bullpen role ahead of Houston's ALDS matchup with Minnesota, but instead he'll get the nod to start as Houston looks for its seventh consecutive ALCS berth. The 28-year-old righty threw nine straight shutout innings to close the regular season and has yet to appear in the postseason.

OCTOBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely in bullpen role for ALDS Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy will likely work out of the bullpen during the ALDS against the Twins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Urquidy was tremendous in a spot start on the third-to-last day of the regular season, working six scoreless innings in a win over the Diamondbacks, but the Astros have already announced that Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez will start ALDS Games 1 and 2, with Cristian Javier looking probable for Game 3. J.P. France and Hunter Brown could also be in bullpen roles for Houston's best-of-five series versus Minnesota.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Does well in spot start Urquidy (3-3) earned the win Friday over the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out two over six scoreless innings.

Impact Urquidy made the spot start when J.P. France was scratched due to a family emergency. This was Urquidy's first start since Aug. 23 -- he allowed 11 runs over 14.1 innings across his last five appearances, all coming in relief. For the season, he's struggled to a 5.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 45:25 K:BB through 63 innings across 16 outings (10 starts). Urquidy will likely resume his bullpen role if the Astros are able to secure a playoff spot.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Draws spot start Friday Urquidy will start Friday's game at Chase Field in Arizona, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact J.P. France has been scratched from the start for unspecified reasons, so Urquidy gets the call for what will be his first start since Aug. 23. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed 11 earned runs over his last 14.1 innings while working in long relief.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will remain in bullpen Astros manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Urquidy will remain in the bullpen "as of right now," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Urquidy earned his first career save Monday versus the Red Sox while working in long relief behind Cristian Javier. Framber Valdez is starting Wednesday's series finale in Boston and then it'll be Justin Verlander, Hunter Brown and Javier in Houston's three-game weekend set against the Yankees. J.P. France is lined up for Monday's series opener on the road against the Rangers.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first career save Urquidy allowed a run on four hits and two walks over four innings in Monday's win over the Red Sox. He struck out one and earned a save.

Impact Urquidy was used in a bulk relief role Monday and ended up throwing the last four innings of Houston's blowout win. He threw 57 pitches and forced seven swinging strikes while picking up his first career save. Urquidy owns a 5.21 ERA and a 36:18 K:BB through 46.2 frames. It's unclear if the Astros will continue using him as a multi-inning bullpen arm or move him back into the rotation.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Urquidy In play, run(s) to Wilyer Abreu | 08/23/2023 BOS vs. HOU at Minute Maid Park

AUGUST 24, 2023 • MLB.COM

Labors through start Urquidy allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Impact Urquidy needed 100 pitches (61 strikes) in this appearance, which came after his last outing was a two-inning relief stint against the Mariners on Friday. The right-hander has struggled to get in form this season -- this was the fourth time in 10 appearances he's allowed at least four runs. He's at a 5.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB through 42.2 innings. Urquidy is tentatively lined up for a road rematch in Boston next week if the Astros continue to roll out a six-man rotation.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available in relief Friday Urquidy will be available in relief Friday against the Mariners, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact The Astros are currently rolling with a six-man rotation and Urquidy won't be needed to make a start in their three-game weekend series versus Seattle. A short relief outing could act as a sort of between-starts bullpen session before he slots back into the rotation early next week against the Red Sox.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Bounces back with seven strikeouts Urquidy (2-3) suffered the loss Sunday against the Angels but pitched well after allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out seven over five innings.

Impact The lone run scored against Urquidy came off an RBI-double from Mickey Moniak in the third inning. The Astros were unable to deliver much offensive production Sunday, leaving Urquidy in line for an unlucky loss. The 28-year-old struck out a season-high seven batters and registered 15 whiffs while gearing up to 80 pitches. Astros' pitching coach Josh Miller said Urquidy was capped at 90 pitches, so it seems likely he'll be stretched out enough to potentially go six innings his next start which is tentatively lined up to be against the Mariners next weekend.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in return Urquidy did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on three hits and three walks over 3.1 innings against the Yankees. He struck out one.

Impact Making his first start since April, Urquidy held the Yankees to one run through his first three innings before running out of steam in the fourth, where he allowed four more runs before departing the contest. Through seven starts this season, Urquidy is 2-2 with a 6.10 with a 1.58 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 31 innings. The Astros will look for more length out of the 28-year-old Urquidy in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the Angels.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated for Sunday's start Urquidy (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start against the Yankees on Sunday.

Impact The right-hander has been sidelined by shoulder issues since late April and will make his return to MLB action for Sunday's series finale in New York. Urquidy threw 76 pitches across five innings during his final minor-league rehab start, so he'll likely still face some minor workload limitations in his first start back. J.P. France is expected to be available as a piggyback option.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Confirmed for Sunday return Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Friday that Urquidy (shoulder) will return to the rotation Sunday versus the Yankees, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact J.P. France is set up for piggyback relief duties and will likely stay in the Astros' bullpen moving forward. Urquidy surrendered five earned runs on nine hits over five innings in his final rehab start last Sunday at Triple-A Sugar Land, but he is finally over the severe bout of shoulder inflammation that sent him to the injured list in early May.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE