The Astros placed starter José Urquidy on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort, the team announced Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Urquidy exited Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Phillies after 5 1/3 innings because of shoulder soreness, manager Dusty Baker said.
- He allowed two runs on three hits, including two home runs, and struck out three batters in the outing.
- Houston recalled right-hander Brandon Bielak from Triple A to take his spot on the roster.
What we know about the injury
Urquidy said he felt “a little bit of pain in my shoulder” after throwing an 83.9 mph changeup to Nick Castellanos in the fifth inning. The pitch flew into the other batter’s box, and Urquidy signaled for catcher Martín Maldonado and the training staff. Urquidy underwent a range of motion tests with the team’s training staff after exiting the game, and saw doctors Monday for a more thorough examination.
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Urquidy’s right shoulder sent him to the injured list twice during the 2021 season, but he said on Sunday this newest injury “is nothing like that.” Urquidy said the pain originated in the back of his shoulder. — Rome
Who will the Astros turn in Urquidy’s absence?
Because the Astros are off on Thursday, they could continue with a four-man rotation during the next turn and would not need a fifth starter until May 9 against the Angels.
Depth starters on the 40-man roster include J.P. France, Shawn Dubin, Bielak and former top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley. Bielak is the only one of the foursome with any major league experience, but France has been the best performer in Triple A this season. After a promising start to his season with Triple-A Sugar Land, Whitley has had two consecutive clunkers, inflating his ERA to 6.00 after 21 innings. The team could also use Ronel Blanco, who was converted to a starting role in spring training, as an opener to a bullpen game. — Rome
Backstory
The 28-year-old Urquidy has a 5.20 ERA across 27 2/3 innings in six starts this season. Urquidy, in his fifth season with Houston, holds a career 3.85 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
He agreed to a one-year, $3.025 million contract with the Astros in January to avoid arbitration.
Required reading
- Can José Urquidy solve his problems with right-handed hitters? Astros notes
- Astros’ loss in World Series rematch vs. Phillies shows their thin margin for error
(Photo: Troy Taormina / USA Today)