The Tigers have signed free agent right-hander to a one-year, $1MM contract for 2025, the team announced. The deal comes with a $4MM team option for 2026. That team option also includes escalators that could increase Urquidys salary by up to $3MM. He will earn an additional $150K for reaching each of four and seven starts; $300K for reaching each of 10, 13, 16, and 19 starts; and $500K for reaching each of 22, 25, and 28 starts. To free up space for Urquidy on the 40-man roster, the Tigers placed fellow right-hander on the 60-day injured list while he continues to recover from left hip labral repair and Tommy John surgery. The team has also placed Urquidy on the 60-day IL; he is recovering from Tommy John surgery of his own. Urquidy spent the Sal Frelick Jersey first six years of his MLB career with the Astros. While he looked like a solid mid-rotation starter in 2021 and 22 (3.81 ERA, 4.22 SIERA in 49 games), the righty had a rough year in 2023. He struggled out of the gate in April before landing on the IL with shoulder troubles. His struggles continued upon his return in August, and he soon lost his spot in the starting rotation. Unfortunately, Urquidys troubles only got worse in 2024. He opened the season on the injured list and eventually required UCL surgery in June. After clearing waivers in November, he elected free agency. Urquidy will not be ready to return to action until midseason at the earliest, so he will not factor into the ongoing rotation battle in Tigers camp. , , and are locks for the Opening Day rotation, and top prospect has the inside track on the number four spot, according to . However, with expected to mi s the beginning of the season, one spot at the back end is still up for grabs. , , and are the primary candidates to win that job. Meanwhile, Urquidy will continue his rehab in the Tigers organization. Once he is ready to get back on the field, he can provide depth as a back-end starter or long reliever. In a best-case scenario, Urquidy returns and looks like his old self, which would make his club option for 2026 a bargain. Meanwhile, the worst po sible outcome for the Tigers is that they pay him $1MM to rehab in 2025 and cut their lo ses at the end of the year if he struggles or fails to get back on the mound. was the first to report the agreement between Urquidy and the Tigers. confirmed that it was a major league deal. Oliver Dunn Jersey