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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

José Urquidy’s 2025 season was a quiet, deliberate road to recovery following June 2024 Tommy John surgery. After spending the vast majority of the year rehabbing in the Detroit Tigers' system (where he posted a promising 2.91 ERA in 21.2 minor league frames), Urquidy returned to a major league mound in September. While his two relief appearances for the Tigers were statistically unremarkable (7.71 ERA over 2.1 innings), the crucial takeaway was his health: his fastball velocity sat at its pre-surgery average of 93 mph, and he exited the season without any setbacks.

In February 2026, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Urquidy to a one-year, $1.5 million contract (plus incentives) to provide veteran "innings insurance" for their young staff. The signing was significant enough that the Pirates placed Jared Jones on the 60-day IL to make room for him. While he was initially expected to represent Team Mexico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Urquidy was forced to withdraw in mid-February due to "insurance restrictions" stemming from his recent surgery and new contract—a move that keeps him in Bradenton for the entirety of spring training.

Entering 2026, Urquidy is the current frontrunner for the Pirates' fifth starter spot, according to beat reports. His path to the rotation is paved by his extensive postseason resume (a 2022 World Series champion with Houston) and the Pirates' desire to avoid overtaxing their rookie arms. If he doesn't secure a rotation spot, his "roster flexibility" allows the Pirates to use him as a long-relief swingman or even option him to Triple-A—though his veteran presence is currently viewed as a vital stabilizing force alongside Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller.

For fantasy managers, Urquidy is a deep-league "buy-low" candidate with an ADP around 390.