White Sox recall José Urquidy

Urquidy, who spent most of last year working his way back from Tommy John, made the Pirates out of spring training this year, only to lose his spot after giving up 10 runs — six earned — in 6 1/3 innings over five relief appearances. He’d since posted a 3.66 ERA with a 73/18 K/BB in 83 2/3 innings as a starter for Triple-A Indianapolis. According to SoxMachine’s James Fegan, Urquidy will likely go to Triple-A for now.

Right-hander Felix Doroteo will be the return, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Urquidy had been at Triple-A since mid-April before being removed from the Pirates’ 40-man on Friday. The White Sox could be looking at him as a fifth starter or middle reliever.

The Pirates needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster to make room for Shawn Ross on Friday and unfortunately Urquidy drew the short straw this time around. The 31-year-old hurler has made five appearances with the Pirates this season, posting an uninspiring 8.53 ERA, 2.68 WHIP and a 6/2 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings of work. Even with his struggles this season, there’s a chance that he could generate interest on waivers.

Cam Sanders is taking Urquidy’s spot in the bullpen. Urquidy had allowed runs in each of his last three appearances, including a four-spot against the Nationals on Monday, to put his ERA at 8.53 on the season. He’ll try to get back on track at Indianapolis.

Urquidy probably would have blown the save if the Mets hadn’t sent Francisco Lindor around third to get thrown out at home with no outs in the inning. Urquidy got Bo Bichette to ground out afterwards and then barely kept Jorge Polanco in the park on the fly to center that ended the game. Urquidy figures to spend most of his time in middle relief after getting beaten out by Carmen Mlodzinski for the fifth spot in the Pittsburgh rotation.

With Carmen Mlodsinski being named the fifth starter and both Jose Urquidy and Hunter Barco making the Opening Day roster, it seems like Clevinger may be the Pirates’ seventh or eighth starter right now. This spring, he allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings while striking out 15 and walking 10. He has pitched only 21 2/3 MLB innings since 2023.

On the plus side, Urquidy struck out four batters on the afternoon while issuing just one base on balls. All of the damage done against him came in the third inning, including a solo blast off the bat of Cedric Mullins. The 30-year-old hurler got two whiffs on 61 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of just 23 percent. He has had a rough time on the mound this spring, registering a 9.35 ERA and 1.73 WHIP across 8 2/3 innings. His spot in the Pirates’ rotation is likely safe for now, but if he continues to struggle the leash could be short.

The 30-year-old right-hander didn’t walk or strike out a batter in the contest. He struggled to keep the ball in the yard, serving up a long solo homer to Giancarlo Stanton in the second inning and another to Paul Dejong in the third. Urquidy got just one swing and miss on 36 pitches on the night, posting an uninspiring CSW of 22 percent. Despite his struggles this spring, he would appear to be locked into a spot in the Pirates’ Opening Day rotation, though he can probably be ignored for fantasy purposes.

It’s a nice bounceback for Urquidy after he struggled in his spring debut against Minnesota (three runs allowed in 1 1/3 innings). The right-hander is attempting to win one of the final spots in the Pittsburgh rotation, and this will certainly not hurt. Hunter Barco and Carmen Mlodzinski will have something to say about it, however.

Urquidy is probably the current favorite to open up as the Pirates’ fifth starter, but since the team has just $1.5 million invested here, he shouldn’t be promised anything. Hunter Barco and Carmen Mlodzinski both might be more intriguing options for Pittsburgh.