José Urquidy's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) won't throw "for a while" after being diagnosed with a right-forearm strain on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is obviously going to begin the 2024 season on the injured list and could miss a good chunk of the first of the season, if not the entire year, depending on whether he needs surgery on his arm. Houston's starting rotation is going to be undermanned to begin the year, with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (shoulder) also set to start the year on the injured list as he works his way back from right-shoulder issues. Urquidy wasn't a fantasy factor in mixed leagues to begin with, but now he can also be avoided in AL-only single-year leagues.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) has been diagnosed with a forearm muscle strain, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is not throwing for now in camp and will not open the 2024 regular season in the team's starting rotation. The 28-year-old pulled himself out of a minor-league game in camp last Friday and will now be forced to open the year on the injured list. It's bad news for a pitcher that already wasn't very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues after he missed most of 2023 due to arm injuries. He had a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in only 63 innings last season. With both Urquidy and Justin Verlander (shoulder) set to begin the year on the IL, and with Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) to miss the first half of the season, J.P. France and Ronel Blanco are expected to open the year in the starting rotation.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (elbow) flew back to Houston on Saturday to be examined by doctors after he showed up to camp with his elbow still sore. Urquidy felt some right-elbow discomfort during a minor-league game on Friday and pulled himself from the contest. The fact that the 28-year-old is now going for tests on his right elbow is pretty concerning, especially considering he was on the 60-day injured list in 2023 with an arm injury. Already not much of a mixed-league fantasy asset, Urquidy should be ignored in upcoming drafts for better and more healthy late-round options. With both Urquidy and veteran Justin Verlander (shoulder) dealing with arm injuries late in camp, it may push the Astros to pull the trigger on signing free-agent left-hander Blake Snell. Urquidy is probably a lock to start the year on the injured list.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (elbow) pulled himself from a minor-league game in camp on Friday after 43 pitches due to right-elbow pain, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is being evaluated by team trainers right now, but we might not have an update on his injury until later on Friday or Saturday morning. The Astros will already be without veteran All-Star Justin Verlander (shoulder) to open the 2024 regular season, so their starting rotation can ill-afford another injury. However, perhaps it spurs the organization to sign left-hander Blake Snell, who won his second Cy Young award with the San Diego Padres in 2023. Urquidy's 2023 campaign was ruined by injuries, too, so his AL-only value is on shaky ground with the regular season starting in several weeks.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Tuesday that he is confident in the team's current pitching depth despite Justin Verlander (shoulder) starting the season on the injured list. He stated that the back of the rotation will comprise Jose Urquidy and J.P. France (shoulder). Urquidy managed just 63 innings pitched last season before missing time with right shoulder discomfort, but he has pitched five scoreless innings with four strikeouts to start his spring. France is currently dealing with right shoulder inflammation but is on track for Opening Day and pitched well last season in 23 starts. Both pitchers offer little strikeout upside but could be worth a look at the end of deeper points league drafts at this time.