Chicago White Sox Make Trade for Pirates Relief Pitcher

Chicago White Sox fans have been waiting for trade news to break, and we finally got some action on Sunday evening, albeit not the trade fans were hoping for or expecting.

The White Sox acquired right-handed pitcher José Urquidy from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Felix Doroteo.

Urquidy is 31 years old and was previously a key member of the Houston Astros’ starting rotation. In 2022, he went 13-8 with a 3.94 ERA and helped the Astros win the World Series.

After pitching in the World Series in three different seasons, Urquidy has resurfaced in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher over the last two years, but has struggled mightily. He had an 8.53 ERA and a 2.68 WHIP in five appearances with the Pirates this season before being designated for assignment last week.

In 17 minor league starts this season, however, Urquidy is 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA. He has been unable to translate those numbers to production against big league hitters while working as a reliever, but he's proven to be competent starting pitching depth.

Chicago’s 40-man roster was sitting at 38 players before the deal. The White Sox will give one of those roster spots to Urquidy, with the other likely going to Austin Hays or Everson Pereira once they are activated from the 60-day injured list on Monday. Outfielder Junior Perez has already been optioned to Triple-A on the transactions wire, indicating a corresponding move with one of the veterans currently on a rehab assignment.

That, however, does not mean Urquidy will be on the MLB roster. In fact, the White Sox have already optioned him to Triple-A. For now, they will keep him on the 40-man roster and give him an opportunity to improve in the minor leagues.

Perhaps they call on him during the dog days of August for some innings in Chicago.

Felix Doroteo , the lone prospect going to Pittsburgh, is a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher who was pitching in the Arizona Complex League before the deal. He posted a 4.50 ERA over 18 innings in 2026. He's not a prospect the White Sox will miss, and moving him now allows Chicago to add some organizational pitching depth.

But, of course, depth does not improve the MLB roster, and Urquidy is not currently better than any of the pitchers in Chicago’s bullpen. That is ultimately what White Sox fans are waiting for at the MLB trade deadline.

Chris Getz and the White Sox will have one week to make more deals before the August 3 deadline. For everyone’s sake, let’s hope there are several more significant trades coming.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →