The Pittsburgh Pirates struck out on another top free agent target when left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez signed with the Detroit Tigers but added one of his former teammates Thursday.
The Pirates agreed to sign right-hander Jose Urquidy to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, a source confirmed to TribLive.
The 30-year-old Urquidy is expected to provide depth to the starting rotation, despite pitching two innings in relief for the Tigers last year after missing the 2024 season while recovering from the second Tommy John surgery of his career.
Urquidy was 27-16 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 79 games (70 starts) over five seasons with the Houston Astros from 2019-23, teaming with Valdez to win a World Series in 2022.
Urquidy made 15 postseason appearances with Houston, going 4-2 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 44 strikeouts against 13 walks while allowing 12 home runs in 46 1/3 innings over 15 games (eight starts).
He was the winning pitcher in both of Houston’s victories against the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 World Series, becoming the first Mexican-born pitcher to win multiple World Series games. He also pitched scoreless innings in relief in a 7-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series.
Urquidy offers a five-pitch mix featuring a four-seam fastball, changeup, curveball and cutter last season. He previously threw a sinker.
