Tigers Add Veteran World Series Pitcher in Roster Shuffle

The Detroit Tigers are making some bold late-season roster moves as they look to chase a postseason spot. Veteran right-hander Jose Urquidy is finally off the 60-day injured list and set to make his Tigers debut after a long recovery from Tommy John surgery.

To open up a roster spot, Detroit put Sawyer Gipson-Long on the 15-day injured list and shifted Beau Brieske to the 60-day IL. Urquidy’s arrival brings playoff experience and adds some needed depth to a pitching staff that’s been battered by injuries all year.

Jose Urquidy Returns with Playoff Pedigree

Urquidy, 30, brings something Detroit’s pitchers have missed lately—actual postseason success. The Mazatlán, Mexico native broke into the big leagues with the Houston Astros in 2019 under manager A.J. Hinch, who now leads the Tigers.

He even made history as the first Mexican-born pitcher to win multiple World Series games, helping Houston win titles in 2019 and 2022. His best year came in 2022: 13 wins, 164 1/3 innings, and a reputation for being steady and durable.

But 2023 was rough. Injuries sidelined him for much of 2024, and after the Astros took him off their roster, Urquidy chose free agency. He signed with Detroit during spring training, still working his way back from surgery.

Strong Rehab Assignment Fuels High Hopes

On his rehab assignment with Detroit’s minor league teams, Urquidy put up a 3.20 ERA over 19 2/3 innings. He looked sharp and, honestly, kind of like his old self.

That’s got folks thinking he could be a real weapon in a multi-inning relief role as Detroit tries to make October baseball a reality.

Impact on the Tigers’ Playoff Push

Bringing Urquidy back gives the Tigers a much-needed boost on the mound. Manager A.J. Hinch now has a veteran who can either start in a pinch or eat up innings in tense postseason spots.

Detroit fans should see Urquidy’s playoff experience pay off, especially when the pressure’s on. He’s shown he can handle tough lineups more than once, and his calm presence might just help settle the team’s younger arms.

Sawyer Gipson-Long’s Setback

The Tigers sent right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long back to the injured list. Detroit got him from the Twins in 2022, and he’d just returned from Tommy John surgery in June.

But his comeback didn’t go as planned—he struggled, then landed on the shelf again with neck stiffness. It’s looking like his season’s probably over, which is a tough break.

Beau Brieske’s Season Comes to a Close

Right-hander Beau Brieske won’t pitch again this year either. He’d been helping with Detroit’s playoff push, but forearm issues kept popping up.

Detroit moved him to the 60-day injured list after a quick recall from Triple-A Toledo. It’s mostly a procedural move, but let’s be real: his season’s done.

Pitching Depth Will Be Key

The Tigers’ front office knows playoff hopes live or die by pitching depth. With Brieske and Gipson-Long out, Urquidy’s health and performance matter more than ever.

Looking Ahead

Detroit’s decision to add Urquidy at this stage really shows their confidence in both his readiness and their postseason hopes. If he can find even a bit of that 2022 form, he might turn into one of the most important arms on the staff.

He can give them multiple innings without sacrificing quality. Fans should keep an eye on how Hinch uses Urquidy in the next few weeks.

Will he start? Maybe he’ll act as a bulk reliever or step in as a high-leverage bridge. His World Series track record gives the Tigers a potential game-changer as they chase October glory.

The Tigers’ pitching puzzle keeps coming together in ways nobody really saw coming. With Urquidy now in the mix, Detroit’s postseason picture just got a lot more interesting.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Tigers add veteran pitcher with World Series experience in roster shuffle