Blue Jays right-hander Jose Urena to start against Angels
The Toronto Blue Jays latest acquisition will get the ball on Tuesday. Right-handed pitcher José Ureña will start the Blue Jays’ series opener against the Angels, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reported on Tuesday.
The Toronto Blue Jays‘ latest acquisition will get the ball on Tuesday.
Right-handed pitcher José Ureña will start the Blue Jays’ series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reported on Tuesday.
Both Ureña and righty Spencer Turnbull agreed to major-league deals with Toronto on Saturday as the club looks to fill the fifth rotation spot left vacant by Max Scherzer’s thumb injury and alleviate the overall stress on the pitching staff.
Scherzer (right thumb inflammation) and reliever Erik Swanson (right median nerve entrapment) were moved to the 60-day injured list Monday.
Ureña pitched to a 3.80 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 109.0 innings, finishing with 70 strikeouts and 39 walks with the Texas Rangers in 2024. He made 33 appearances with the Rangers, including nine starts.
The 33-year-old swingman made a single appearance for the New York Mets this season — three innings to finish a blowout in which he allowed two homers and five earned runs — before being designated for assignment on April 29.
Ureña has a career 4.80 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 11 seasons split between the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Rangers and Mets.
Toronto has been in scramble mode with the No. 5 spot in its rotation as Scherzer works his way back. The answers so far have included four Easton Lucas starts, using an off-day to skip the rotation spot, and most recently, a bullpen day led by Yariel Rodriguez followed by a bulk appearance from left-hander Eric Lauer.
The 16-18 Blue Jays return to action Tuesday, looking to snap a two-game skid as they visit the Los Angeles Angels to begin a three-game road series. Watch the game on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet+ at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT.
