LAKELAND – The Detroit Tigers have officially signed right-handed pitcher José Urquidy to a one-year, $1,000,000 contract for the 2025 season, which includes a $4,000,000 club option for the 2026 campaign. The 2026 option features performance bonuses: $150,000 each for reaching four and seven starts, $300,000 each for 10, 13, 16, and 19 starts, and $500,000 each for 22, 25, and 28 starts.
To accommodate Urquidy on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continues to recover from left hip labral repair and Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Urquidy was also placed on the 60-day injured list as he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery. Detroit’s 40-man roster now stands at 39 players.
Urquidy, 29, holds a career record of 27-16 with one save and a 3.98 ERA (179 ER/405.0 IP) across 79 major league appearances (70 starts) over five seasons with the Houston Astros (2019-23). He has participated in postseason play every season of his career, including three World Series appearances, and has a 4-2 record with a 4.08 ERA (21 ER/46.1 IP) in 15 playoff outings, including eight starts.
The righthander debuted in the majors in 2019 and made only 14 regular season appearances (12 starts) over his first two seasons before breaking out in 2021, with an 8-3 record and a 3.62 ERA (43 ER/107.0 IP) in 20 starts. He became the first Mexican-born pitcher to earn multiple World Series wins that October. In 2022, Urquidy set career highs with a 13-8 record and a 3.94 ERA (72 ER/164.1 IP) in 29 appearances (28 starts), contributing to the Astros’ championship run.
Urquidy was limited to just 16 outings, including 10 starts, in 2023 due to a right shoulder injury and missed the entire 2024 season after being placed on the injured list in spring training with a right forearm strain and undergoing right elbow surgery on June 5.
Originally from Mazatlan, Mexico, Urquidy was signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 2015.
