White Sox Giving Jose Urquidy First MLB Start in Three Years, Can He Return to Form?

The Chicago White Sox traded for Jose Urquidy earlier this year, and it's starting to pay off big time.

Aug 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Urquidy (70) looks on during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It's been less than a month since the White Sox acquired Jose Urquirdy for minor-league pitcher Felix Doroteo. At the time, many suggested Urquidy might eventually be of help to a pitching staff that had become increasingly suspect. No one was quite sure when that might happen, though.

Then, with the Sox in desperate need of someone to eat innings, Urquidy went above and beyond the call of duty for the season's final crosstown series game. After Sean Newcomb kept the Cubs off the scoreboard in the first two innings, Urquidy repeated that feat for six innings, striking out eight and earning the win in a 3-0 decision.

The Sox have rewarded Urquidy by announcing that he will start the series opener against the Texas Rangers. It will be Urquidy's first MLB start since he earned a no-decision in Game 4 of the 2023 ALCS while with the Houston Astros. That game also just so happened to have him pitch against the Rangers, who would go on to win their first World Series championship.

White Sox Giving Jose Urquidy Another Shot

Aug 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Urquidy (70) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Before the White Sox called him up, Jose Urquidy made three starts with Triple-A Charlotte and made a strong case for coming back to the majors. He had a 2.25 ERA and recorded a 1.08 WHIP. Then, when Davis Martin hit the injured list, Urquidy's chance arrived.

Before Urquidy put on a Sox uniform, Randal Grichuk and Andrew Benintendi were seen as the veteran leaders on the club. Now, they have another one who does his work on the mound instead of at the plate or in the field. That's arguably more valuable at a position that has become weaker as the season has gone on.

Although it certainly would help, the Sox don't need Urquidy to dominate the way he did against the Cubs. They just need someone who can keep baserunners from scoring – let alone someone who can limit the number of baserunners in general. He has demonstrated that so far, so the question is how long they will be able to rely on him to do that.

Some pitchers simply need a change of scenery. Urquidy's last outing with the Pittsburgh Pirates came on April 13, which saw him give up four runs in a single inning of work. Two appearances before that, he allowed only one earned run over two innings, but four runs appear next to his name in the box score.

All eyes will be on Urquidy from the moment he throws his first pitch. Will he dominate again, merely be serviceable, or have the bottom suddenly fall out? Sox fans will be anxious to see which version appears. If one thing is for sure, past production says he can be a dependable rotation piece. If he can return to form over this next month of the regular season, the White Sox could have a surprising X-factor come playoff time.