The Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy for assignment on July 24, 2026. The move cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Shawn Ross.
Ross was called up after catcher Rafael Flores Jr. was placed on the seven-day concussion-related injured list.
Flores had been filling in for Endy Rodriguez, who is sidelined with a left glute strain and starting a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis.
Urquidy, 31, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Pittsburgh in February 2026.
He struggled during spring training with a 9.28 ERA and began the season in the bullpen.
In five relief appearances early in the season, Urquidy posted an 8.53 ERA and a 2.68 WHIP over 6 1/3 innings.
He allowed four runs in an 8-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on April 8, gave up the game-winning run in a 7-6 defeat to the Chicago Cubs on April 12, and surrendered four runs and a home run in one inning against the Washington Nationals on April 13.
He was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on April 17.
At Triple-A, Urquidy found success, posting a 5-4 record with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP across 17 starts.
He struck out 73 batters and walked 18 in 83 1/3 innings. Over his final six minor league starts, he recorded a 1.74 ERA.
Despite his strong minor league performance, the Pirates have deep starting rotation depth with Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, Mitch Keller, Bubba Chandler, and Jared Jones.
Long-relief roles are held by Wilber Dotel and Carmen Mlodzinski, while Hunter Barco, Antwone Kelly, and Khristian Curtis remain at Triple-A.
Urquidy debuted with the Houston Astros in 2019 under manager A. J.
Hinch. From 2019 to 2022, he pitched 342 innings for Houston with a 3.74 ERA.
He set career highs in 2022 with 13 wins and 164 1/3 innings, becoming the first Mexican-born pitcher to win multiple World Series games.
After an injury-plagued 2023, Urquidy missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery.
He joined the Detroit Tigers during 2025 spring training for rehab, making two bullpen appearances in September 2025 before returning to Triple-A Toledo.
Pittsburgh now has seven days to trade Urquidy or place him on waivers.
