José Urquidy Bio
José Luis Hernández Urquidy, known professionally as José Urquidy, is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers. A right-handed starter, Urquidy is best known for his postseason success, including a World Series championship with Houston in 2022. He made his major league debut in 2019 after working his way up through the Astros’ minor league system.
Early Life and Background
José Luis Hernández Urquidy was born on May 1, 1995. He grew up in Mexico and developed an interest in baseball during his childhood, the sport being one of the country’s most popular pastimes. Prior to the 2019 season, Urquidy was known publicly as José Luis Hernández, and he later adopted Urquidy as his professional surname. That change marked a new chapter in his career just before he reached the major leagues.
From a young age, Urquidy trained as a pitcher and built the arm strength and mechanics that would eventually attract attention from international scouts. His family supported his athletic development, and he continued to refine his skills in his home country before signing his first professional contract. By his late teens, he was regarded as one of the more promising young arms available on the international market.
Path to Professional Baseball
Urquidy signed with the Houston Astros as an international free agent on March 2, 2015, beginning his climb through the organization’s player development system. He made his professional debut that same year, splitting time between the Greeneville Astros and the Tri-City ValleyCats. Over 37 and two-thirds innings, he posted a 2-1 record and a 3.35 ERA, giving the Astros an early look at his potential.
In 2016, Urquidy pitched for the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Lancaster JetHawks, going 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA in 24 games, including 21 starts. He missed the entire 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, a major setback that tested his dedication to the sport. He returned in 2018 with Tri-City and the Buies Creek Astros, posting a 2-2 record and a 2.35 ERA across 13 games and 11 starts. He began 2019 with the Corpus Christi Hooks before earning a promotion to the Round Rock Express, paving the way for his major league call-up later that summer.
José Urquidy Career
Houston Astros Era (2019-2023)
On July 2, 2019, the Astros promoted Urquidy to the major leagues. He debuted that night in a start against the Colorado Rockies, pitching three and two-thirds innings. By the end of his rookie season, he had appeared in nine games, making seven starts, and finished 2-1 with a 3.95 ERA over 41 innings. His most memorable moment that year came in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals, where he became just the third Mexican-born pitcher to start a World Series game. He threw five innings, gave up two hits, struck out four, and earned the victory, becoming the second Mexican-born pitcher to win a World Series game after Fernando Valenzuela.
In 2021, Urquidy posted an 8-3 record with a 3.62 ERA in 20 starts covering 107 innings. He was a key figure in Houston’s World Series run that fall, starting Game 2 against the Atlanta Braves and pitching five innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts. He also picked up a win in relief during Game 5, becoming the first Mexican-born pitcher to earn multiple World Series wins. The following season, he was 13-8 with a 3.94 ERA in 29 games, including 28 starts, logging 164 and one-third innings. He made one relief appearance in the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, throwing three scoreless innings, and became the first Mexican-born player in Major League history to appear in three World Series. Houston won the series in six games, giving Urquidy his first World Series championship ring.
Urquidy opened 2023 by agreeing to a one-year, $3.025 million contract with Houston in January. A right shoulder injury in May led to a stay on the injured list, and he returned in August to make a start against the New York Yankees. On August 28, he picked up the last four innings of a 13-5 win over Boston to convert his first career save. He then started and won Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins, helping the Astros clinch the series and extend their record streak of seven straight American League Championship Series appearances.
Detroit Tigers (2025)
Urquidy began 2024 on the injured list with a right forearm strain, and on June 5, 2024, it was announced that he would undergo season-ending elbow surgery. On November 4, 2024, the Astros removed him from the 40-man roster to send him outright to the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, but he rejected the assignment and elected free agency. On March 8, 2025, he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, though he was immediately placed on the 60-day injured list while continuing to recover from Tommy John surgery. He was activated for his Detroit debut on September 12 and made two appearances before being designated for assignment on September 18, accepting a minor league option the next day. Across his two outings with Detroit, he posted a 7.71 ERA with three strikeouts in just over two innings. On November 6, 2025, the Tigers declined their option on Urquidy, making him a free agent once again.
Driving Style and Strengths
Urquidy relies on a balanced four-pitch mix, featuring a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, a sharp curveball, a changeup, and a slider. His ability to generate ground balls and limit hard contact makes him particularly effective on contact-oriented lineups. He has shown a steady temperament on the biggest stages, producing some of his best outings in the postseason.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his World Series heroics, Urquidy authored six and one-third hitless innings against the New York Yankees on June 26, 2022, extending a combined Astros no-hit streak to 16 and one-third innings. On August 15, 2022, he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox before yielding a single to A. J. Pollock. He also tied his career high with 10 strikeouts in a 6-1 win over Boston on August 3, 2022.
José Urquidy Career Wins
Urquidy has compiled a strong record across regular season and postseason play, with his biggest victories coming on baseball’s grandest stage. His two World Series wins rank him as the winningest internationally born player in World Series history.
MLB Highlights
Urquidy’s first major league win came during his rookie season in 2019, followed by his iconic victory in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series. He added two more Fall Classic wins in 2021 against the Atlanta Braves and helped Houston clinch a championship in 2022. In the regular season, his 13 wins in 2022 stand as his career high.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Urquidy was a consistent winner, combining for an 8-6 record across his 2015 and 2016 seasons before his Tommy John surgery setback. He returned strong in 2018, going 2-2 with a 2.35 ERA, and continued that form at Triple-A in 2019 before his promotion to Houston.
José Urquidy Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Urquidy has kept his family life largely private, and public details about his parents and immediate family are limited. He is known to be of Mexican nationality, and his family supported his baseball development from an early age. Urquidy has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Urquidy’s 2025 campaign was shaped by recovery and limited opportunities. After signing with the Detroit Tigers in March, he spent the bulk of the season on the 60-day injured list, working his way back from his second Tommy John surgery. His activation on September 12 finally gave him a chance to contribute at the major league level, though two appearances yielded a 7.71 ERA before the Tigers designated him for assignment.
The Tigers’ decision to decline his option on November 6 returned Urquidy to free agency, opening the door for a potential new contract elsewhere. Given his postseason pedigree and track record when healthy, he remains an attractive arm for clubs seeking rotation depth heading into 2026. His ability to handle big moments, combined with a successful return from elbow surgery, suggests he could be in line for a bounce-back opportunity in the coming year.