José Urquidy has become a free agent after the Detroit Tigers declined his $4 million club option for the 2026 season. The decision was finalized before the November 6 deadline for contract-option choices, marking a significant turn in Urquidy’s career. The announcement came during a press conference on November 5, just one day before he was set to make his offseason debut with the Venados de Mazatlán in the Mexican Pacific League.
Urquidy, a 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, had signed a one-year contract with the Tigers in March. This contract included a club option worth $4 million and an additional $3 million in potential incentives based on games started. Had the Tigers exercised the option, Urquidy could have earned a total of $7 million in 2026.
The Tigers initially brought Urquidy into their roster while he was recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. He joined the team in mid-September after an extensive 11-game rehabilitation assignment. Unfortunately, his performance on the mound was limited; he pitched in only two games, both in relief, and recorded a troubling 7.71 ERA with three walks and three strikeouts over 21 innings. His struggles with pitch command raised concerns, leading to his exclusion from the Tigers’ postseason roster for both the American League Wild Card series and the Division Series.
Throughout his six-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Urquidy has played for the Houston Astros and the Tigers. He has achieved a 4.00 ERA over 407.1 innings in 81 games, including 70 starts. Notably, Urquidy contributed to the Astros’ success in three World Series, appearing in the championship games in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and securing a World Series title in 2022 with a remarkable 1.23 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched.
The decision to let Urquidy go reflects the Tigers’ strategy moving forward, as they look to build their roster for the upcoming season. The team remains focused on strengthening its pitching lineup while Urquidy seeks opportunities to continue his career elsewhere following a challenging rehabilitation period and limited appearances on the field.
As the offseason unfolds, both Urquidy and the Tigers will navigate significant changes, with the pitcher now seeking new opportunities in the competitive landscape of professional baseball.