Houston Astros Manager Gives Concerning Update on Urquidy's Injury
The Houston Astros and their fans have been sitting on pins and needles while awaiting an update on starting pitcher Jose Urquidy and his elbow injury.
Urquidy exited Friday's Grapefruit League game after 43 pitches when he was slated to go 60. He cited elbow pain and that is when the team flew him back to Houston for further evaluation on Saturday. He also said that the elbow had not subsided even a day later.
After going through an MRI, the team now has more information.
On Monday, The Athletic reported that manager Joe Espada said that Urquidy has a right forearm strain and will begin the season on the injured list. It's vague but when it comes to starting pitchers, elbow pain and forearm strain, the news is never usually positive.
While we can't speculate about what will happen with Urquidy, those contributing factors listed above usually indicate significant missed time, potentially even Tommy John surgery.
With Urquidy's move, the Astros have begun to seriously pursue two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell who remains a free agent. Other options that remain are Michael Lorenzen and Mike Clevinger, both of whom are looking for one-year deals.
Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Justin Verlander and now Urquidy will all begin the season on the injured list.
That leaves Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, J.P. France and Ronel Blanco as the current rotation to start the 2024 MLB season.
With multiple games against the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs, if Houston doesn't address the situation there is a possibility they could fall into an early hole.
