José Urquidy made his first trip back to Daikin Park on Monday, but this time as a member of the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander, who spent six seasons with the Astros before leaving after the 2024 season, arrived early to soak in the familiar surroundings.
“I walked in through the entrance in right field and just took a look around and said, ‘Yeah, we were here for a long time and threw a lot of games here,’” Urquidy said from the visiting dugout before the series opener. “I’m playing in a different city now, but I can’t wait to see my ex-teammates and talk a little bit. It feels really good to be back here.”
A Storied Tenure in Houston
During his time with the Astros, Urquidy posted a 27-16 record with a 3.98 ERA in 79 appearances. He pitched in five postseasons, including three World Series. As a rookie, he earned the win in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals, throwing five shutout innings and allowing just two hits. In the 2021 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, he picked up two wins, including a Game 2 start where he struck out seven over five innings while allowing two runs.
Urquidy’s three World Series victories are the most by any Mexican-born pitcher and the most in Astros history.
“All my games and all my innings that I threw here are something that I’m going to remember for all of my life,” Urquidy said. “I can’t tell you one (favorite memory) right now, but there are a lot of memories here and outside the field, too. The people, they recognize me wherever I go. My family and I have a lot of memories here.”
Injuries and a New Chapter
Signed by the Astros as a 19-year-old international free agent out of Mazatlán, Mexico in 2015, Urquidy has battled injuries throughout his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017, made his MLB debut in 2019, and was limited to 16 outings in 2023 due to a shoulder injury. In 2024, a forearm strain during spring training led to a setback in a Triple-A rehab start, ultimately requiring a second Tommy John surgery and ending his time in Houston.
Astros manager Joe Espada praised Urquidy both as a pitcher and a person. “He’s a really good dude,” Espada said. “Urquidy won three World Series games for us, that’s huge. Big stage, big-time pitcher. Injuries obviously kind of derailed his years here, but the human, how well he was liked (is what stands out). He’s super competitive.”
After being removed from the 40-man roster, Urquidy signed with the Detroit Tigers, reuniting with former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, but made just two appearances while recovering from surgery. He later signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, spent most of the season at Triple-A, and was traded to the White Sox in July.
Looking Ahead
In four appearances with the White Sox, Urquidy has a 4.58 ERA over 17 ⅔ innings, including a strong outing against the Twins on Sunday, where he threw five innings and allowed just one run. The 67 pitches he threw in that game may keep him from pitching in the series against his former team, but he’ll be watching from the visitor’s bullpen.
“The Astros helped me to become a professional athlete,” Urquidy said. “They helped me to help people. They taught me how to be a good professional baseball player and I’m very grateful for the Houston Astros organization for them giving me the opportunity to be a good person and a good athlete and share that with other people.”
