José Urquidy and the Houston Astros agree terms

The Houston Astros have been the team to beat in MLB over the past decade. No matter what the Dodgers say, no matter how much it pains the Yankees, the road to the World Series runs through Houston.

Yes, they have had their setbacks, being stunned by the Rangers in the ALCS last year. But the Astros are still a formidable foe and they know that in order for them to stay at that forefront of Major League Baseball, there are certain key players that they absolutely must keep ahold of.

Mexican right-hander José Urquidy is one of them.

Coming off of a complicated, injury-laden season in 2023, Urquidy had a 5.29 ERA in only 63 innings of work. But over the long haul, he has been a stalwart of this Astros rotation and the team recognized that, signing a $3.75 million deal to avoid arbitration in his second year of eligibility.

One of seven Astros players who are in an arbitration year, Urquidy is joined by outfielders Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick, pitchers Framber Valdez, Luis García and Bryan Abreu, and Honduran utility player Mauricio Dubón. While the others may still be in varying stages of negotiation, at least the Astros can count on Urquidy to be ready for spring.