2 months ago
It's been nearly three years since José Urquidy has thrown a pitch inside the Houston Astros' downtown ballpark, so when he arrived back in town as a member of the Chicago White Sox, he made sure to take the early bus to Daikin Park on Monday to take it all in.
"I walked in through the entrance in right field and just took a look around and said, 'Yeah, we were here for a long time and threw a lot of games here,'" Urquidy said from the visiting dugout before the Astros-White Sox series opener. "I'm playing in a different city now, but I can't wait to see my ex-teammates and talk a little bit. It feels really good to be back here."
The 31-year-old Urquidy had some huge moments in his six years with the Astros. He went 27-16 with a 3.98 ERA in 79 outings with the team, while also pitching in five postseasons, including three World Series. As a rookie, he got the win in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals when he threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He picked up two wins in the 2021 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, including a Game 2 start in which he struck out seven over five innings, allowing two runs. His three World Series wins are the most by any Mexican-born pitcher and the most of any pitcher in Astros history.
"All my games and all my innings that I threw here are something that I'm going to remember for all of my life," Urquidy said. "I can't tell you one (favorite memory) right now, but there are a lot of memories here and outside the field, too. The people, they recognize me wherever I go. My family and I have a lot of memories here."
Signed by the Astros as a 19-year-old international free agent out of Mazatlán, Mexico in 2015, Urquidy has dealt with injuries through much of his professional career. He had his first Tommy John surgery in 2017 after pitching in High-A in the minors. Two years later, he made his big-league debut. A shoulder injury limited him to 16 outings in 2023, and Urquidy suffered a forearm strain during spring training in 2024. He was close to rejoining the Astros when he had a setback in a Triple-A rehab start and had to have a second Tommy John surgery, marking the end of his tenure in Houston.
#urquidy
"I walked in through the entrance in right field and just took a look around and said, 'Yeah, we were here for a long time and threw a lot of games here,'" Urquidy said from the visiting dugout before the Astros-White Sox series opener. "I'm playing in a different city now, but I can't wait to see my ex-teammates and talk a little bit. It feels really good to be back here."
The 31-year-old Urquidy had some huge moments in his six years with the Astros. He went 27-16 with a 3.98 ERA in 79 outings with the team, while also pitching in five postseasons, including three World Series. As a rookie, he got the win in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals when he threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He picked up two wins in the 2021 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, including a Game 2 start in which he struck out seven over five innings, allowing two runs. His three World Series wins are the most by any Mexican-born pitcher and the most of any pitcher in Astros history.
"All my games and all my innings that I threw here are something that I'm going to remember for all of my life," Urquidy said. "I can't tell you one (favorite memory) right now, but there are a lot of memories here and outside the field, too. The people, they recognize me wherever I go. My family and I have a lot of memories here."
Signed by the Astros as a 19-year-old international free agent out of Mazatlán, Mexico in 2015, Urquidy has dealt with injuries through much of his professional career. He had his first Tommy John surgery in 2017 after pitching in High-A in the minors. Two years later, he made his big-league debut. A shoulder injury limited him to 16 outings in 2023, and Urquidy suffered a forearm strain during spring training in 2024. He was close to rejoining the Astros when he had a setback in a Triple-A rehab start and had to have a second Tommy John surgery, marking the end of his tenure in Houston.
#urquidy
2 months ago
The White Sox got steamrolled, 11-2, by a team that entered the game worse than .500. The pitching was terrible, the bats were ice-cold, and the Rangers took advantage of the long ball on several occasions.
José Urquidy did not have a great start, tossing 39 pitches in his first frame. He walked the leadoff batter and the third batter, then hit Brandon Nimmo with a pitch to load the bases with only one out. Ezequiel Duran grounded into a force out at second, but sent Joc Pederson home. Evan Carter doubled, putting the second run on the board. With two outs, Jake Burger picked up a walk, but a pop-up from Elias Díaz would finally stop the damage. Miguel Vargas singled with two outs, and Andrew Benintendi nearly tied the game and would have with just a bit more wind, but Nimmo jumped up to rob the good guys of any runs.
With two outs in the top of the second, Corey Seager singled and was safe at second after Colson Montgomery scooped up a single from Wyatt Langford. Drew Romo blew through the first challenge as Nimmo picked up a walk to load the bases, with Urquidy already passing the 50-pitch mark. Chase Meidroth slipped, unable to grab what should've been an easy out, and another run came in on an infield single from Duran. Pederson, after not getting his challenge call in on time on a strikeout, continued to throw a tantrum, leading to his ejection. Romo ended additional on-field drama by tagging home for the inning-ending force-out. Braden Montgomery singled for the Good Guys, and with two outs, Tristan Peters took a slider and made the Rangers pay, cutting the deficit to 3-2. That home run put him in double-digits and his 10th homer this season:
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With one out in the top of the third, Elias Díaz was hit by a pitch, and Cody Freeman singled. Seager caused more damage with a two-run double, giving the Rangers a 5-2 lead with two outs. The frame ended with a pop fly, but also on 93 pitches for Urquidy. The the bottom half Munetaka Murakami singled and Miguel Vargas walked to put two on base early. Benintendi grounded into a fielder's choice, and Braden Montgomery picked up a walk to load the bases. Of course, the next two batters struck out to strand all three runners.
#rangers #second
José Urquidy did not have a great start, tossing 39 pitches in his first frame. He walked the leadoff batter and the third batter, then hit Brandon Nimmo with a pitch to load the bases with only one out. Ezequiel Duran grounded into a force out at second, but sent Joc Pederson home. Evan Carter doubled, putting the second run on the board. With two outs, Jake Burger picked up a walk, but a pop-up from Elias Díaz would finally stop the damage. Miguel Vargas singled with two outs, and Andrew Benintendi nearly tied the game and would have with just a bit more wind, but Nimmo jumped up to rob the good guys of any runs.
With two outs in the top of the second, Corey Seager singled and was safe at second after Colson Montgomery scooped up a single from Wyatt Langford. Drew Romo blew through the first challenge as Nimmo picked up a walk to load the bases, with Urquidy already passing the 50-pitch mark. Chase Meidroth slipped, unable to grab what should've been an easy out, and another run came in on an infield single from Duran. Pederson, after not getting his challenge call in on time on a strikeout, continued to throw a tantrum, leading to his ejection. Romo ended additional on-field drama by tagging home for the inning-ending force-out. Braden Montgomery singled for the Good Guys, and with two outs, Tristan Peters took a slider and made the Rangers pay, cutting the deficit to 3-2. That home run put him in double-digits and his 10th homer this season:
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With one out in the top of the third, Elias Díaz was hit by a pitch, and Cody Freeman singled. Seager caused more damage with a two-run double, giving the Rangers a 5-2 lead with two outs. The frame ended with a pop fly, but also on 93 pitches for Urquidy. The the bottom half Munetaka Murakami singled and Miguel Vargas walked to put two on base early. Benintendi grounded into a fielder's choice, and Braden Montgomery picked up a walk to load the bases. Of course, the next two batters struck out to strand all three runners.
#rangers #second
2 months ago
The White Sox week started by getting walked off on back-to-back nights, there was a midweek goose egg to lose a makeup game to Atlanta, and then the pitching gave up 10 runs to a Mets team that is well worse than .500. Oh, and not to mention, it's the middle of a 16-game stretch, so Chicago's pitching staff was extremely taxed.
So much so that when Will Venable was asked this week what the plan was for the North Side portion of the Crosstown Classic, he told reporters there wasn't one. I am no idiot. I know this was likely a half-truth. There had to be concepts of a plan. That plan was "The Opener."
Following a loss that was lead off by and ended by Pete Crow-Armstrong home runs, Bryan Hudson was tapped to start Tuesday's duel against the Cubs. He gave up a pair of homers in his opening inning before he turned it over to Erick Fedde for 4 2/3 innings of scoreless work. In the end, Huascar Brazobán and his one-third of an inning would be enough to lose Fedde the bid for the win and allow Alex Bregman to walk things off in the ninth.
Sean Newcomb opened the last game at Wrigley. He earned one more inning than Hudson did the day prior, keeping the game scoreless before turning things over to the bulk reliever. The strategy worked well for the White Sox, with José Urquidy going six innings and striking out eight Cubbies en route to a 3-0 victory to avoid a sweep. Sometimes veterans still have some of that young stud left in them. It's nice when they allow it to peak out in-between the past-their-prime outings.
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#white #fedde #week
So much so that when Will Venable was asked this week what the plan was for the North Side portion of the Crosstown Classic, he told reporters there wasn't one. I am no idiot. I know this was likely a half-truth. There had to be concepts of a plan. That plan was "The Opener."
Following a loss that was lead off by and ended by Pete Crow-Armstrong home runs, Bryan Hudson was tapped to start Tuesday's duel against the Cubs. He gave up a pair of homers in his opening inning before he turned it over to Erick Fedde for 4 2/3 innings of scoreless work. In the end, Huascar Brazobán and his one-third of an inning would be enough to lose Fedde the bid for the win and allow Alex Bregman to walk things off in the ninth.
Sean Newcomb opened the last game at Wrigley. He earned one more inning than Hudson did the day prior, keeping the game scoreless before turning things over to the bulk reliever. The strategy worked well for the White Sox, with José Urquidy going six innings and striking out eight Cubbies en route to a 3-0 victory to avoid a sweep. Sometimes veterans still have some of that young stud left in them. It's nice when they allow it to peak out in-between the past-their-prime outings.
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#white #fedde #week
2 months ago
The White Sox are looking to rebound on the North Side after a heartbreaking, walk-off loss to the Cubs in extra innings Monday. With a chance to even the series tonight, they are turning to a (fairly) exhausted bullpen to handle Tuesday's game, with lefthander Bryan Hudson getting the ball first for the seventh time this season.
Hudson has been excellent as an opener when called upon, holding a 1.29 ERA across seven frames while allowing just one run on three hits and five strikeouts — with a solo homer serving as the only major blemish in those outings. Hudson has amassed a 3.14 ERA in 51 2/3 innings, alongside a 1.277 WHIP, and has given up just two home runs all season in 54 games. He tends to thrive more in low- to medium-leverage situations and has the lowest ERA (0.34) with the bases empty (26 2/3 innings), making the lefty the perfect candidate for an opener.
Without any corresponding roster moves from the Good Guys, it seems that the White Sox will roll with either Erick Fedde or José Urquidy as the long reliever options, likely hoping to get deep enough in the game — with a lead, ideally — to turn to Sean Newcomb, Huascar Brazobán, and Grant Taylor, maybe even in that order.
Since the Cubs will have a righty on the mound with Kevin Gausman making the start, the lineup looks much more solid from the South Siders tonight, especially with Colson Montgomery returning to the batting order, hitting sixth and playing shortstop. With the right-handed matchup, Sam Antonacci will slot back into leadoff, followed by Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas, and our clutch king, Andrew Benintendi. Tonight would be the perfect night for the Mune and Miguel combo to blast off with a pair of homers, but I'll take anyone stepping up to be the hero if it means we don't have to witness the Sox lose the way they did yesterday.
Chicago White Sox Lineup
#innings #Cubs #game
Hudson has been excellent as an opener when called upon, holding a 1.29 ERA across seven frames while allowing just one run on three hits and five strikeouts — with a solo homer serving as the only major blemish in those outings. Hudson has amassed a 3.14 ERA in 51 2/3 innings, alongside a 1.277 WHIP, and has given up just two home runs all season in 54 games. He tends to thrive more in low- to medium-leverage situations and has the lowest ERA (0.34) with the bases empty (26 2/3 innings), making the lefty the perfect candidate for an opener.
Without any corresponding roster moves from the Good Guys, it seems that the White Sox will roll with either Erick Fedde or José Urquidy as the long reliever options, likely hoping to get deep enough in the game — with a lead, ideally — to turn to Sean Newcomb, Huascar Brazobán, and Grant Taylor, maybe even in that order.
Since the Cubs will have a righty on the mound with Kevin Gausman making the start, the lineup looks much more solid from the South Siders tonight, especially with Colson Montgomery returning to the batting order, hitting sixth and playing shortstop. With the right-handed matchup, Sam Antonacci will slot back into leadoff, followed by Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas, and our clutch king, Andrew Benintendi. Tonight would be the perfect night for the Mune and Miguel combo to blast off with a pair of homers, but I'll take anyone stepping up to be the hero if it means we don't have to witness the Sox lose the way they did yesterday.
Chicago White Sox Lineup
#innings #Cubs #game
2 months ago
DETROIT — A blister affected Chicago White Sox starter Davis Martin in Thursday's outing that ended with an ejection.
A day later, the right-hander landed on the 15-day injured list with the blister on his right middle finger.
"We decided that there's a good chunk of skin gone, how that's going to affect me throwing the baseball?" Martin said Friday afternoon. "A lot of questions popped up where it made sense to put me on the IL and get it taken care of."
Martin's IL stint was one of several moves announced by the American League Central-leading Sox ahead of a big three-game series against the second-place Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Sox brought up pitchers José Urquidy and Tyler Schweitzer from Triple-A Charlotte and optioned right-hander Tanner McDougal to Charlotte.
Chicago baseball report: Cubs pen could get a shot in the arm, while Brenton Doyle fits in well with White Sox
#Baseball
A day later, the right-hander landed on the 15-day injured list with the blister on his right middle finger.
"We decided that there's a good chunk of skin gone, how that's going to affect me throwing the baseball?" Martin said Friday afternoon. "A lot of questions popped up where it made sense to put me on the IL and get it taken care of."
Martin's IL stint was one of several moves announced by the American League Central-leading Sox ahead of a big three-game series against the second-place Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Sox brought up pitchers José Urquidy and Tyler Schweitzer from Triple-A Charlotte and optioned right-hander Tanner McDougal to Charlotte.
Chicago baseball report: Cubs pen could get a shot in the arm, while Brenton Doyle fits in well with White Sox
#Baseball
2 months ago
The Chicago White Sox are making a significant pitching change at an important point of the 2026 MLB season, bringing a familiar postseason name back to the major leagues.
Chicago announced that right-hander José Urquidy has been recalled, giving the White Sox a veteran pitcher with plenty of postseason experience. The timing couldn't be better, as Chicago is preparing to open a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers, one of its biggest competitors in the American League Central.
MORE: MLB awards predictions for the 2026 season
Oct 23, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy (65) throws during the seventh inning of game seven in the ALCS against the Texas Rangers for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Urquidy is best known for his time with the Houston Astros, where he emerged as a reliable postseason pitcher and helped the organization during its championship runs.
#season #detroit
Chicago announced that right-hander José Urquidy has been recalled, giving the White Sox a veteran pitcher with plenty of postseason experience. The timing couldn't be better, as Chicago is preparing to open a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers, one of its biggest competitors in the American League Central.
MORE: MLB awards predictions for the 2026 season
Oct 23, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy (65) throws during the seventh inning of game seven in the ALCS against the Texas Rangers for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Urquidy is best known for his time with the Houston Astros, where he emerged as a reliable postseason pitcher and helped the organization during its championship runs.
#season #detroit
3 months ago
Charlotte Knights 5, Durham Bulls 3
Just like the big-league club, the Knights (62-52) overpowered the Bulls (52-61) to claim the series. José Urquidy made his third start for Charlotte since he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing one run in his two frames on three hits while striking out three in the process. A pair of doubles in the second drove in the first run for the Bulls, but the Good Guys answered back in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at one on a solo shot from Korey Lee, his first of two batted in on the day. Adding three more the next inning, Rikuu Nishida and Mario Camilletti started the inning with back-to-back walks before being brought in by Ryan Galanie. Junior Perez also mashed a solo shot in the seventh to add an insurance run, making up for his rough day yesterday.
Daniel Wright and Tyler Schweitzer were next out of the bullpen, each allowing on run on two hits while striking out two, earning a hold and keeping the Knights in the game with the lead. All of the remaining pitchers earned a hold while Jaden Woods earned his second save of the season, striking out one with a hit, sealing the win for Wright.
MVP
Korey Lee (C): 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, K, HR
Runners-Up
Ryan Galanie (1B): 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, 0-for-1 SB
Junior Perez (CF): 1-for-3, R, RBI, K, HR
Garrett Schoenle (LHRP): 1 IP, 0 H, K, Hold
Jaden Woods (LHRP): 1 IP, H, 0 R, K, Save
Cold Cat
Joey Wiemer (LF): 0-for-4, 3 K
#hold #back #korey
Just like the big-league club, the Knights (62-52) overpowered the Bulls (52-61) to claim the series. José Urquidy made his third start for Charlotte since he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing one run in his two frames on three hits while striking out three in the process. A pair of doubles in the second drove in the first run for the Bulls, but the Good Guys answered back in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at one on a solo shot from Korey Lee, his first of two batted in on the day. Adding three more the next inning, Rikuu Nishida and Mario Camilletti started the inning with back-to-back walks before being brought in by Ryan Galanie. Junior Perez also mashed a solo shot in the seventh to add an insurance run, making up for his rough day yesterday.
Daniel Wright and Tyler Schweitzer were next out of the bullpen, each allowing on run on two hits while striking out two, earning a hold and keeping the Knights in the game with the lead. All of the remaining pitchers earned a hold while Jaden Woods earned his second save of the season, striking out one with a hit, sealing the win for Wright.
MVP
Korey Lee (C): 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, K, HR
Runners-Up
Ryan Galanie (1B): 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, 0-for-1 SB
Junior Perez (CF): 1-for-3, R, RBI, K, HR
Garrett Schoenle (LHRP): 1 IP, 0 H, K, Hold
Jaden Woods (LHRP): 1 IP, H, 0 R, K, Save
Cold Cat
Joey Wiemer (LF): 0-for-4, 3 K
#hold #back #korey
3 months ago
Nashville Sounds 5, Charlotte Knights 3
The Knights (58-50) and Sounds spent most of the night shadowboxing, but it was Nashville who finally landed the knockout punch. José Urquidy kept things quiet until the third, when the Sounds eked out a run. Charlotte's bats, comatose until the fifth, finally woke up with a Ryan Galanie triple — yes, the first hit of the night. Korey Lee's sac fly tied it, but Urquidy served up a leadoff solo shot in the bottom half, and just like that, Nashville ******* ed the lead right back, 2-1.
Charlotte tried to make some noise in the eighth. Andy Weber doubled, Rikuu Nishida nudged him to third on a ground out, and then Austin Hays delivered with a two-run bomb to left, Knights up 3-2. That joy didn't last very long. Mason Adams, who had been scheduled to start before Urquidy got the call, surrendered three runs in the bottom half. The Knights had one last shot in the ninth with the bases loaded and one out after three consecutive walks. Weber then rolled into a soul-crushing double play.
MVP
Austin Hays: 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Runners-Up
José Urquidy: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Ryan Galanie: 1-for-3, R, BB, 3B
Korey Lee: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
Andy Weber: 1-for-4, R, , 2B, K
Cold Cat
Mason Adams: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K, PO, L
#urquidy #ryan #galanie #andy
The Knights (58-50) and Sounds spent most of the night shadowboxing, but it was Nashville who finally landed the knockout punch. José Urquidy kept things quiet until the third, when the Sounds eked out a run. Charlotte's bats, comatose until the fifth, finally woke up with a Ryan Galanie triple — yes, the first hit of the night. Korey Lee's sac fly tied it, but Urquidy served up a leadoff solo shot in the bottom half, and just like that, Nashville ******* ed the lead right back, 2-1.
Charlotte tried to make some noise in the eighth. Andy Weber doubled, Rikuu Nishida nudged him to third on a ground out, and then Austin Hays delivered with a two-run bomb to left, Knights up 3-2. That joy didn't last very long. Mason Adams, who had been scheduled to start before Urquidy got the call, surrendered three runs in the bottom half. The Knights had one last shot in the ninth with the bases loaded and one out after three consecutive walks. Weber then rolled into a soul-crushing double play.
MVP
Austin Hays: 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Runners-Up
José Urquidy: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Ryan Galanie: 1-for-3, R, BB, 3B
Korey Lee: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
Andy Weber: 1-for-4, R, , 2B, K
Cold Cat
Mason Adams: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K, PO, L
#urquidy #ryan #galanie #andy
4 months ago
Pirates have World Series Champion Waiting in the Wings to Boost Starting Rotation originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have talented pitchers at the major league level.
But if they need a jolt at some point, Triple-A Indianapolis actually has a staff with some previously prominent veteran arms.
That includes 2022 World Series champion Jose Urquidy.
Urquidy started for Indy on Thursday and had a great outing -- he went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while giving up five hits and two walks. He struck out seven en route to lowering his season ERA to 3.67.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have talented pitchers at the major league level.
But if they need a jolt at some point, Triple-A Indianapolis actually has a staff with some previously prominent veteran arms.
That includes 2022 World Series champion Jose Urquidy.
Urquidy started for Indy on Thursday and had a great outing -- he went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while giving up five hits and two walks. He struck out seven en route to lowering his season ERA to 3.67.
