Latest buzz suggests Tigers wasted their time signing former Astros pitcher

The Detroit Tigers took a gamble before the start of the season, signing former Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy to a one-year deal. Much of the 2025 season has been a wash for Urquidy as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery he had last June, but it seems that he could be in line to finally join the Tigers' pitching staff next week.

Urquidy made his eighth appearance of his minor-league rehab assignment earlier this week, and there is some speculation he could be added to the Tigers' roster in time for their series against the New York Yankees.

At the center of the Tigers' decision will be whether or not AJ Hinch believes the 30-year-old veteran has made enough improvement with his command.

"Bouncing back and being able to do that multiple times in a six-day span, as opposed to just once, is going to be really important for him," Hinch said. "We need him to sharpen up his command, which is what his calling card is and also something that's challenged coming off that surgery."

Tigers Rumors: Jose Urquidy destined for free agency in offseason?

Urquidy isn't exactly being stretched to potentially join the Tigers' rotation as his rehab appearances have been capped after four innings. If he does join the Major League team before the end of the season, it would seem that his role will be out of the bullpen, pitching multiple innings at a time. Even then, it's hard to envision any scenario where Urquidy is on the Tigers' initial postseason roster.

Regardless, the larger question — Urquidy's $4 million club option for 2026 — seems to have already been answered. During an early look at this offseason's free-agent class, ESPN's Jeff Passan suggested that it was unlikely that the Tigers would be looking to bring back Urquidy after 2025.

How pitchers recover from Tommy John surgery is never an exact science, but Urquidy feels like a wasted opportunity for the Tigers' front office. They supplemented that mistake with the additions of Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack at the deadline, but maybe next time they shouldn't wait until the end of the offseason to address their starting rotation.

Hope that $1 million for a few innings of Urquidy was worth it.

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