Jose Urquidy Injury Update: Astros veteran pitcher to make one more rehab start before being activated from IL

Jose Urquidy is nearing his return to the Houston Astros, however, he will need to make one more minor league start before he does so. According to MLB insider Chandler Rome, the Astros have decided that Urquidy will make one final rehab start this coming weekend with Triple-A Sugar Land before he is set to return to the rotation.

"José Urquidy will start this weekend for Triple-A Sugar Land, Joe Espada said." - @Chandler_Rome

It has been a disappointing season for the Houston Astros, however, one of their biggest issues has been the health of their pitching rotation. The impending return of Jose Urquidy will be another step towards the club rounding back into shape. Although Urquidy may not be a household name, he has been an important member of the pitching rotation over the past few years.

Urquidy has yet to appear in any major league action this season as the Houston Astros veteran has been out of action since suffering a forearm strain during Spring Training. Although Urquidy has been progressing towards a return, his last rehab start only saw him throw 59 pitches at Double-A, so the team will likely want to increase his pitch count before activating him.

"Astros Manager Joe Espada with updates on Jose Urquidy, Chas McCormick & more. #Relentless" - @SportsTalk790

Jose Urquidy is coming off a difficult 2023 campaign which saw him post a career-high 5.29 ERA with 45 strikeouts and a 1.429 WHIP over 63.9 innings of work. The veteran missed a large portion of the 2023 season with right shoulder soreness, landing on the 60-day IL before returning late in the year.

Jose Urquidy will bring some much-needed proven talent to the Astros rotation

A World Series champion with the Houston Astros, Urquidy's return to the rotation should give the team a much-needed boost on the mound. Houston has struggled to remain healthy so far this season, with nearly every starting pitcher on their roster hitting the IL at one point.

Now Urquidy is set to return to the rotation sooner rather than later, which will be the latest member to return from the significant injuries. So far this year, the Houston Astros have had the likes of Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, and Cristian Javier all return from the IL. Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, and Kendall Graveman all remain sidelined for the club.