Tigers sign Urquidy to one-year deal with club option for 2026

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Tigers made an investment in their future pitching depth by signing former Astros right-hander José Urquidy to a one-year, $1 million contract with an incentive-laden $4 million club option for 2026.

Urquidy, who will turn 30 years old on May 1, underwent Tommy John surgery last June. At the time the Astros announced the procedure, the team stated he was expected to return to pitching sometime during the 2025 season. The unique structure of the low-risk deal points more towards a ‘26 return, allowing Urquidy to complete his rehab with the Tigers this year while letting them evaluate his progress and decide whether to exercise the option for next season. Detroit immediately placed him on the 60-day injured list along with starting prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long, who also underwent Tommy John surgery last year.

Urquidy’s 2026 option includes performance bonuses based on how many games he starts that season:

$150,000 for four starts
$150,000 for seven starts
$300,000 for 10 starts
$300,000 for 13 starts
$300,000 for 16 starts
$300,000 for 19 starts
$500,000 for 22 starts
$500,000 for 25 starts
$500,000 for 28 starts

Add up the incentives, and Urquidy could make up to $7 million with a full 2026 campaign.

Urquidy pitched in 79 games, including 70 starts, for the Astros from 2019-23, breaking into the big leagues under then-Houston manager A.J. Hinch. Nearly half of Urquidy’s 27 wins with the Astros came in ‘22, when he went 13-8 with a 3.94 ERA in 29 games (28 starts).

Urquidy also brings a wealth of postseason experience, including three World Series victories. As a rookie, he tossed five scoreless innings against the Nationals in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series. He earned both of the Astros’ World Series wins in ‘21, when they lost to the Braves in six games. He tossed three scoreless innings in a long relief appearance against the Phillies in Game 3 of the ‘22 World Series.