Pirates have World Series Champion Waiting in the Wings to Boost Starting Rotation originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have talented pitchers at the major league level.
But if they need a jolt at some point, Triple-A Indianapolis actually has a staff with some previously prominent veteran arms.
That includes 2022 World Series champion Jose Urquidy.
Urquidy started for Indy on Thursday and had a great outing — he went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while giving up five hits and two walks. He struck out seven en route to lowering his season ERA to 3.67.
And to expand the box score intrigue, Mike Clevinger pitched the final inning for the Pirates.
Urquidy is the most notable at the moment, though, because he’s stretched out as a starting pitcher.
The former Houston Astros righty did make five appearances for the Pirates earlier this season. They were all in relief, and he got hit hard (8.53 ERA).
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Since going back down to the minor leagues, though, Urquidy seems to have hit his stride. All 15 of his outings for Indianapolis have been starts. He’s striking out 8.2 batters per nine, and most impressively walking just 1.7 batters per nine.
Urquidy hasn’t been an effective MLB pitcher since 2022 with the Astros (3.94 ERA).
He had a 5.29 ERA with Houston in about half a season in 2023, didn’t get to the majors in 2024 and had a 7.71 ERA with the Tigers in two outings in 2025.
Those numbers would suggest Urquidy might be past his prime, but the 31-year old from Mexico is pitching well at Triple-A.
That’s an encouraging sign, because the Pirates might need him again. Right now, Urquidy looks ready to contribute once again in MLB, and at some point, he might get that chance.
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