​Pirates have World Series Champion Waiting in the Wings to Boost Starting Rotation originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Pittsburgh Pirates boast a talented group of pitchers at the major league level, and yet there are scenarios where a shake-up could come from the organization’s Triple-A squad in Indianapolis, which houses a staff filled with formerly prominent veteran arms. Among them is Jose Urquidy, who was part of the 2022 World Series champion Astros staff.
Urquidy took the mound for Indy on Thursday and delivered a strong performance, going seven innings and surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks. He struck out seven as his season ERA slid to 3.67. Adding to the box score intrigue, Mike Clevinger finished the final inning for the Pirates. At the moment, Urquidy stands out because he’s stretched out as a starter, a role he filled during his time with the Astros.
Earlier this season, Urquidy appeared for the Pirates in five relief outings, a stint that yielded an elevated 8.53 ERA. Since shifting back to the minors, he appears to have found his form. All 15 of his Indy appearances have been starts, and he’s posting impressive strikeout numbers, with 8.2 batters retired per nine innings, while walking just 1.7 per nine. Urquidy’s MLB track record has been more mixed in recent times; his last full season with the Astros in 2022 saw a 3.94 ERA, and he posted a 5.29 ERA across about half a season with Houston in 2023. He didn’t reach the majors in 2024, and in two 2025 appearances with the Tigers, he carried a 7.71 ERA.
These numbers might hint that Urquidy is past his prime, but the 31-year-old Mexican pitcher has found encouraging form down at Triple-A. That improvement is exactly the kind of development a franchise like the Pirates would love to see, because it signals that he could be ready to contribute at the major league level again. The Pirates could find themselves needing that depth and experience, and Urquidy’s current trajectory suggests he could be an option once again at the highest level. If he continues to perform well, he could earn another chance in MLB and perhaps rejoin the Pirates in a relief or starter role, depending on the team’s needs and Urquidy’s readiness.
Trending Pirates news, 2026 Pirates schedule, Pirates roster updates, and a complete history of Pirates championships are all part of the ongoing coverage. This context helps frame why a veteran like Urquidy remains a potential catalyst for a starting rotation that could benefit from an extra seasoned arm in the wings. For more comprehensive archival context and to boost SEO, the full history of Pirates championships is available, alongside 2026 updates and other related coverage.