The Chicago White Sox just dropped a bombshell Tuesday, designating right-hander Jose Urquidy for assignment. This isn’t just any move, folks, they’re parting ways with a former Houston Astros World Series champion. Seriously, a guy with that kind of hardware is now on the market. It’s a head-scratcher on the surface, but when you dig into the details, it paints a pretty clear picture of what the AL Central club is thinking as the season barrels towards October.
Urquidy’s White Sox Chapter Closes Fast
Let’s talk about Urquidy’s time in the Windy City. It was a pretty short ride, starting back in July when Chicago grabbed him from the Pittsburgh Pirates after *they* had designated him for assignment. The White Sox were trying him out as a multi-inning guy, tossing him into six appearances, including one spot start. His numbers weren’t exactly Cy Young stuff, but they weren’t a total dumpster fire either: a 4.37 ERA with 15 strikeouts and five walks over 22.2 innings. Honestly, for a guy they just picked up mid-season and used in that specific role, his stint “wasn’t terrible,” as the source puts it. So, why make this call *now*, especially with the season chugging along and a potential playoff push on the horizon? It feels like there’s definitely more to this than just the stat line.
Why This Move Screams Postseason Decisions
Here’s where things get truly interesting and probably explain the entire situation. Urquidy is 31, and while he definitely had some solid years as a middle-of-the-rotation starter with the Astros in 2021-22, his recent past has been a brutal uphill battle. He was sidelined for most of both 2024 and 2025 because of Tommy John Surgery. That’s a huge chunk of time off the mound, right? It makes you really wonder about his current form, stamina, and ability to be a consistent contributor in high-leverage situations. The big kicker, the real gut punch from the source, is that it was “unclear what role he’d have on the team in the postseason.” Think about that. Even more telling, there was a “decent chance he would’ve been left off their initial playoff roster” anyway.
This designation screams that the White Sox are making their October plans crystal clear. By cutting him loose now, they’re essentially saying they don’t see a fit for him when it truly matters. Plus, there’s a practical side to this move: if another club claims Urquidy off waivers, he won’t be eligible to pitch in the postseason for that team. So, it’s a strategic move that frees up a roster spot now and potentially prevents a rival from getting a playoff-eligible arm later in the year. In a corresponding move, they also called up left-hander Noah Schultz from Triple-A Charlotte, which clearly signals new blood getting a look.
So, the White Sox have made their call. It’s a bold move to cut a guy with World Series experience, especially when his recent numbers in Chicago weren’t outright disastrous. But clearly, their vision for the postseason doesn’t include Urquidy. It’ll be fascinating to see if another team takes a chance on the 31-year-old right-hander, knowing he can’t contribute to their playoff push this year. For the White Sox, it’s about pushing forward with the guys they trust for the stretch run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply