Twice Tommy John surgery couldn't stop him. The Pirates sign Jose Urquidy, betting on his comeback after a dominant winter performance.
Rehabbing from one Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery is a difficult process for a pitcher. Jose Urquidy has done it twice, and he is still trying to get back to the major leagues.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are taking a small gamble that Urquidy can at least become a serviceable pitcher again. They have agreed to terms with the 30-year-old right-hander on a one-year, $1.5-million contract as a free agent. The deal is expected to be finalized next week if Urquidy passes a physical when the Pirates begin spring training in Bradenton, Fla.
Urquidy had his first Tommy John procedure in 2017 while pitching at the High-A level in the Houston Astros’ farm system. That came three years after the Astros purchased his contract from Mazatlan of the Mexican League.
Three years later, Urquidy reached the major leagues and went 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA in six starts for the Astros. He started Game 4 of the World Series and pitched five scoreless innings to beat the Washington Nationals.
Urquidy started and won two games against the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 World Series and became the first Mexican pitcher to have multiple wins in the same Fall Classic. Against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series, Urquidy pitched three shutout innings of relief in his lone appearance. He has a 4-2 career record and 4.08 in 15 postseason games.
In 81 career regular-season games, including 70 starts, Urquidy’s record is 27-16 with a 4.00 ERA over six seasons.
Now, Urquidy is trying to find his old form following his second elbow surgery. It has been a slow process.’
Urquidy was limited to three minor-league starts in 2024 and spent almost all of 2025 in the minors before making two late-season relief appearances for the Detroit Tigers. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
However, Urquidy shone this winter while pitching in Mexico, going 3-1 with a 1.36 ERA in six starts. He struck out 35 batters in 33 innings while allowing just 21 hits and seven walks. That performance was good enough to land Urquidy a major-league contract.
Now, Urquidy will go to spring training, favored to be the Pirates’ No. 5 starter, slotting into the rotation behind Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler.