Jose Urquidy
Position: RHP
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 215 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 05/01/1995
Country: Mexico
Signed: International Free Agent, 2015 (Astros)
How Acquired: Free Agent
Bonus: N/A
40-Man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: N/A
Overview
Urquidy had success as a finesse starter with Houston from 2020-22. After that he ran into arm problems and eventually had elbow surgery. For most of his career, he threw the standard four pitchers, with a fastball averaging around 93 mph. According to Statcast, in 2025 he scrapped his slider for a cutter. His out pitch is his change, which accounts for a sizeable reverse platoon split; he’s held left-handed batters to a .619 OPS, while right-handed batters have put up a .783 mark. He’s always mixed his pitches extensively, but more so the last couple seasons in which he’s pitched, throwing the fastball about a third of the time. He’s had good control, at least before the arm trouble. He hasn’t had high K rates. Urquidy is a flyball pitcher and has had trouble with gopher balls. The Pirates signed Urquidy as a free agent for 2026.
2015-18
Urquidy was nearly 20 when he signed and the Astros sent him to advanced rookie ball, then short season ball, in 2015. He got better results at the lower level, with a 2.11 ERA vs. 4.96. At both, though, he had good walk and K rates, 2.2 and 10.0 per nine innings, respectively.
In 2016, Urquidy split the year between low and high A. At the lower level, he had a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts and three relief appearances. In the high-offense California League, he had a 3.48 ERA in seven starts. His other numbers were good overall: 1.19 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9.
Urquidy had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2017 season. In 2018, he returned to start rehab around mid-season. Between short season ball and high A, he got into 13 games and put up a 2.35 ERA, with a BB/9 of 1.6.
2019-22
In 2019, Urquidy advanced through AAA and AA, and the Astros called him up at the beginning of July. He was up and down several times over the remainder of the season. He actually pitched at least as well in the majors as in the minors. Between the two minor league levels, he had a 4.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9. In the majors, in seven starts and two relief appearances, Urquidy had a 3.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9.
Urquidy was hurt at the start of the shortened 2020 season, but joined the Astros in time to make five starts, with a 2.73 ERA. In 2021, he went on the IL twice with shoulder discomfort, but apart from rehab appearances made 20 starts for Houston, with a 3.63 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He walked only 1.6 per nine innings and struck out 7.6, which is about where his K rate has stayed ever since. Gopher balls were his biggest problem, as he gave up 17 in 107 innings.
In 2022, Urquidy spent the season with the Astros, making 28 starts with a 13-8 record, 3.94 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He did allow 29 longballs in 164.1 IP.
2023-25
Urquidy spent much of 2023 on the IL with right shoulder discomfort. Apart from rehab outings he made ten starts and six relief appearances. He got hit much harder, with much weaker walk and K rates, and a 5.29 ERA. In March 2024, Urquidy suffered a forearm strain and missed the entire season except for a few rehab outings. He ultimately had another Tommy John surgery. The Astros designated him for assignment, but he rejected an outright assignment and chose free agency.
Detroit signed Urquidy in March 2025 to a contract that included a team option for 2026. He wasn’t activated until August, when he got into four games in low A and six in AAA. He pitched in two September games for the Tigers and struggled in two and a third innings. Detroit declined his option year after the season and he became a free agent. The Pirates signed him to a $1.5M contract for 2026. He can’t be optioned.
Stats
Transactions
March 9, 2015: Signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent.
July 2, 2019: Contract purchased by the Houston Astros.
November 4, 2024: Became a free agent.
March 8, 2025: Signed as a free agent by the Detroit Tigers.
November 6, 2025: Became a free agent.
February 11, 2026: Signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.