José

Urquidy

With Davis Martin on the IL and Noah Schultz back in the minors, the White Sox currently have just three true rotation pitchers in Sean Burke, Luis Castillo and Anthony Kay. After Castillo starts Monday, they’ll rely heavily on the pen in the final two games of their series against the Cubs. With Thursday off, they could then perhaps split up their bulk-guy days next time through the rotation.

Urquidy struck out three batters on the night and didn’t issue a base on balls. He took over in the second inning after Sean Newcomb recorded the first four outs and Urquidy served up a two-run blast to Ben Malgeri before the inning was through. He gave up just one run the rest of the way though, allowing the White Sox’ offense to do the work for him to earn him a win. He now sports a miserable 8.10 ERA, 2.20 WHIP and a 9/2 K/BB ratio over 10 innings with the White Sox this season.

Urquidy was lit up as a long reliever this year with the Pirates, but has a 3.48 ERA in 20 Triple-A starts between Indianapolis and Charlotte. It’s possible he gets another chance in the rotation (or as a bulk reliever) with the Sox losing Davis Martin to the injured list.

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.