The Chicago White Sox are making a major pitching change at an essential level of the 2026 MLB season, bringing a well-known postseason identify again to the key leagues.
Chicago introduced that right-hander José Urquidy has been recalled, giving the White Sox a veteran pitcher with loads of postseason expertise. The timing couldn’t be higher, as Chicago is making ready to open a weekend sequence towards the Detroit Tigers, one in all its greatest opponents within the American League Central.
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Urquidy returns to the majors
Urquidy is finest identified for his time with the Houston Astros, the place he emerged as a dependable postseason pitcher and helped the group throughout its championship runs.
Now, the White Sox are hoping he can present high quality innings whereas including some much-needed expertise to their pitching workers.
To make room for Urquidy, Chicago optioned right-hander Tanner McDougal to the minors. The White Sox additionally positioned right-hander Davis Martin on the 15-day injured checklist due to a proper center finger blister.
Martin’s damage comes after an inconsistent stretch. By means of the tip of Might, Martin had thrown 67 2/3 innings with a 2.00 ERA. For the reason that calendar turned to June, nonetheless, his ERA has ballooned to 7.06 over 57 1/3 innings, pushing his season ERA to 4.32.
The White Sox are hoping Urquidy can replicate a few of the high quality innings Martin supplied earlier this yr.
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White Sox preventing for a playoff spot
The roster transfer comes with Chicago firmly within the playoff hunt.
The White Sox are 62-58 and presently maintain a 2.5-game lead over the Tigers within the AL Central. They’re trying to succeed in the postseason for the primary time since 2021, making each sport down the stretch more and more essential.
Martin will probably be unavailable for at the least a few weeks, leaving Chicago with out one in all its rotation choices throughout a vital portion of the schedule.
That’s why including somebody with Urquidy’s expertise might show precious.
The White Sox now have a veteran pitcher becoming a member of the staff simply as they start an important weekend sequence towards Detroit. If Urquidy can ship the kind of innings Chicago wants, this might find yourself being an essential transfer because the White Sox try to complete their season with a playoff berth.
