Mets sign 10-year veteran José Ureña to minor league deal to help starting rotation

The New York Mets have signed José Ureña to a minor league deal. Ureña is a 10-year veteran who pitched to the tune of a 3.80 ERA for the Rangers last season.

Sep 1, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Urena (54) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With a couple of early injuries in spring training to the Mets starting rotation, help is on the way.

According to Tim Healey of Newsday, the Mets have signed right-handed pitcher José Ureña to a minor league deal. The 10-year MLB veteran is already in the clubhouse on Thursday morning.

The Mets have agreed to terms with right-hander Jose Ureña on a minor league contract. He'll become the 70th player in big league camp once he passes his physical.

The 10-year veteran had a 3.80 ERA in a swingman role for the Rangers last year.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 27, 2025

Ureña made all the sense in the world for the Mets to add in the fold. Due to being signed to a minor league deal, he costs them very little. Last season with the Texas Rangers, the right-hander was a versatile swingman, logging a 3.80 ERA in nine starts and 24 bullpen appearances.

Sean Manaea is expected back from his oblique injury in late April, while Frankie Montas is expected back from his lat injury sometime in May. If there's one more injury to the rotation or one of Griffin Canning, Paul Blackburn, or Tylor Megill struggles early, Ureña can step right in and make some starts.

Ureña made six starts from May 7th-June 5th last season for the Rangers and gave up two earned runs or less in in five of the six. However, the righty had better numbers coming out of the bullpen, to the tune of an impressive 2.92 ERA over 64.2 innings pitched. His ERA was 5.08 as a starter, which was inflated by two starts in August where he gave up seven and six runs.

The 33-year old from the Dominican Republic started his career with the Miami Marlins for six years, making him a familiar face to the Mets. Since then, he's pitched for the Tigers, Brewers, Rockies, White Sox, and Rangers. Ureña has a career 4.76 ERA and 635 strikeouts over 948.1 IP and 152 starts.

The Mets have signed José Ureña to a minor league deal, per @timbhealey

Ureña, a 10-year veteran, had a 3.80 ERA for the Rangers last season with 24 of his 33 appearances coming out of the bullpen pic.twitter.com/8nK4CRvD1T
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 27, 2025

The addition of Ureña does not completely rule out Jose Quintana or another starting pitcher, but it feels like this was the cost-effective signing to potentially put a move like that out of the picture. That might change if another starter ends up on the injured list before Opening Day; there's still a month until the Mets head to Houston to open the regular season, so anything can happen from here until then.

This was a strong add by David Stearns, being a low-risk, high-reward move.

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