The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that they have signed right‑handed pitcher José Urquidy (pronounced ur‑KEE‑dee) to a one‑year contract for the 2026 season.
Urquidy, 30, spent most of the 2025 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound in September, making two relief appearances for Detroit (2.1ip) and posting a 2.91 ERA (21.2ip/7er) across 11 minor league outings—eight starts—split between Low‑A Lakeland and Triple‑A Toledo.
From 2019–23 with Houston, Urquidy went 27–16 with a 3.98 ERA (405.0ip/179er) and 326 strikeouts in 79 regular‑season appearances (70 starts). His best full season came in 2022, when he finished 13–8 with a 3.94 ERA (164.1ip/72er) and 134 strikeouts over 29 outings (28 starts). Injuries limited him to three minor league rehab appearances in 2024.
A member of the Astros’ 2022 World Series championship team, Urquidy owns a strong postseason résumé, going 4–2 with a 4.08 ERA (46.1ip/21er) and 44 strikeouts in 15 playoff games (eight starts) from 2019–23. He was particularly dominant in the World Series, posting a 3–0 record with a 1.23 ERA (14.2ip/2er) and 15 strikeouts across five appearances (two starts) in the 2019, 2021 and 2022 Fall Classics.
Urquidy will wear uniform No. 65. Outfielder Jack Suwinski has switched to No. 18.
To make room on the 40‑man roster, the Pirates have placed RHP Jared Jones (right elbow surgery recovery) on the 60‑day injured list. The 40‑man roster remains full.
