The Houston Astros are on the outside of the race for the American League West, but they face bad news about their starting rotation.
Right-hander José Urquidy is expected to require Tommy John surgery. The Astros are sending Urquidy to Dallas orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion on the initial imaging results. But the expectation is that Meister will recommend a reconstructive procedure, according to Alden González and Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Urquidy, 29, has not pitched for Houston this season after suffering from a forearm strain during spring training. At that time, an MRI examination and several doctors consulted found no structural damage to Urquidy’s ulnar collateral ligament and he was placed on the disabled list with elbow inflammation.
The Astros entered the 2024 season with pitchers Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia also on the injured list. Framber Valdez went on the disabled list two weeks into the schedule with elbow soreness, but returned in late April.
Urquidy was on a minor league rehab assignment and appeared to be on track to return to the Astros. The sixth-year pitcher made two rehab starts with Triple-A Sugar Land without a hitch. However, he abandoned his third appearance after feeling pain in his forearm after 52 pitches. according to the Houston Chronicle.
Imaging was done in Urquidy last week before a visit to Dr. Meister was scheduled. Astros general manager Dana Brown was asked about the likelihood of Tommy John surgery for Urquidy and pitcher Cristian Javier, who went on the injured list last week with right forearm soreness.
Dana Brown on José Urquidy and Cristian Javier: “We’ll probably know something by the end of this week, maybe Thursday or so, about which direction we’re going to go in. They’re both feeling better, which is a good idea.” sign, but we are still getting second opinions from the doctors”
– Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 2, 2024
“We’ll probably know something toward the end of this week, maybe Thursday, about which direction we’re going to go,” Brown said. via Chandler Rome of the Athletic.
Astros manager Joe Espada had a similar response when asked to comment on the ESPN report ahead of Monday’s matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Here at MMP, manager Joe Espada is not commenting on an ESPN report that José Urquidy is out for the season. The report indicated that Urquidy could undergo TJ surgery. pic.twitter.com/gyy2Ww1SrQ
-Randy McIlvoy (@KPRC2RandyMc) June 3, 2024
“We are giving Urquidy and Javier the space they deserve and we are just waiting to hear the second opinion and the results they get from those guys,” Espada told reporters. including KPRC’s Randy McIlvoy. “
Last season, Urquidy posted a 5.29 ERA while being limited to 63 innings (in 16 appearances) due to right shoulder discomfort. However, he became a key part of the Astros’ starting rotation over the previous three seasons, compiling a 3.71 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 301 innings.
In five seasons with Houston, Javier has a 3.59 ERA with 564 strikeouts in 501 innings (116 appearances).