Texas Rangers right-hander Jose Urena has made the team's Opening Day roster after inking a minor-league pact with the club this winter. The veteran has struggled mightily in recent seasons, working to a 6.45 ERA across 10 outings between the Rockies and White Sox in the 2023 season, although his 4.10 ERA in five outings with the White Sox was far superior to his 9.82 ERA in five appearances with the Rockies to begin the season. Urena's inability to miss bats has long plagued him as he sports a minuscule 15.5% K% in is career. He generates ground balls at a hearty 48.2% clip but has still surrendered a 1.24 HR/9 clip in his 199 career outings. He remains well off the fantasy radar moving forward.

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-hander Jose Urena to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The veteran hurler combined for 10 starts with the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox in 2023, going 0-7 with a rough 6.45 ERA (7.28 FIP) and 1.61 WHIP with 22 walks and 29 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched. The 32-year-old will provide the Rangers with starting-rotation depth to open spring training, but Urena is likely to open the year pitching for Triple-A Round Rock in the minors. In nine seasons in the big leagues with the Marlins, Rockies, Tigers, White Sox and Brewers, Urena has a 4.89 ERA (4.90 FIP) and a 1.41 WHIP with a weak 15.5 percent strikeout rate in 839 1/3 innings over 199 outings (143 starts).

Free-agent right-hander Jose Urena agreed to a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment and released by the Colorado Rockies last week, but he'll land on his feet quickly with the rebuilding Nats. He has previous stops with the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers in his nine-year career. Urena made five starts for the Rockies this year before they cut him loose, allowing 22 runs (20 earned) on 27 hits (a league-high nine home runs surrendered) while walking 14 and striking out nine in 18 1/3 innings. He will report to Triple-A Rochester and hope for better results and for an eventual call-up to D.C. Fantasy managers can ignore Urena for now.

The Colorado Rockies re-signed right-hander Jose Urena to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million with an option for the 2024 season on Friday. Urena started the 2022 campaign as a reliever for the Milwaukee Brewers but was cut in may and latched on in Colorado. He made 17 starts for Colorado, going 3-8 with a 5.14 ERA (4.53 FIP), a 1.57 WHIP, 60 strikeouts and 38 walks in 89 1/3 innings pitched. Overall, he had a 5.01 ERA (4.65 FIP), a 1.57 WHIP, 63 K's and 43 walks in 97 innings over 21 appearances (17 starts). The Rockies likely plan to use him in a starting role yet again in 2023, but he'll be a shaky fantasy commodity while pitching half his games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

The Colorado Rockies signed former Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jose Urena to a minor league deal on Friday. He will first work out at the team's complex in Arizona before joining one of their minor league affiliates. Urena was designated for assignment by the Brewers in early May, and he chose to become a free agent. The 30-year-old will likely be assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque eventually, and he'll provide Colorado with some starting pitching depth this year. Urena made four relief appearances for Milwaukee this year, allowing three earned runs while walking five and striking out three. He spent the first six years of his career in Miami, and he has a 4.76 career ERA and 1.38 WHIP while walking 255 and striking out 476 in 172 outings (116 starts) over 705 1/3 innings.

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed right-handed pitcher Jose Urena to a minor league contract. According to Brewers manager Craig Counsell, Urena will also be invited to Spring Training with the big league club. The 30-year-old spent the 2021 season with the Detroit Tigers. Over 26 games (18 starts), he went 4-8 with a 5.81 ERA and a 1.599 WHIP while averaging just 6.0 K/9. As his ugly stats suggest, he was hit extremely hard last year. His 47.8% hard-hit rate ranked in the bottom 1% of the league.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jose Urena (groin) will be the team's starter for Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Urena has been out since mid-July while dealing with a groin strain. According to Tigers beat reporter Jason Beck, Urena will work in a tandem with Tyler Alexander in Saturday's game. Neither pitcher is likely to throw more than about three innings. Urena had some flashes of success earlier this year, but it's been a rough season overall for him. Over 17 starts, he's gone 2-8 with a 6.19 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Yan Gomes hit a game-ending single in the ninth inning, Erick Fedde extended his scoreless streak to 20 innings and the Washington Nationals two-hit the first-place New York Mets in a 1-0 victory Friday night. Juan Soto opened the ninth with a walk and moved to third on Ryan Zimmerman’s single to right. Gomes then singled to left to beat Edwin Díaz (1-2). Brad Hand (4-2) pitched the ninth to close out Washington’s gem. The Nationals have won a season-high five straight. Fedde pitched seven dominant innings, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out six. The right-hander’s scoreless streak is the longest on the team this season. Fedde’s ERA is down to 3.33. Joey Lucchesi countered with 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five. Three Mets relievers followed with 2 2/3 scoreless before Díaz struggled in the ninth. ORIOLES 7, BLUE JAYS 1 BALTIMORE (AP) — Cedric Mullins homered twice and Thomas Eshelman pitched effectively... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Yan Gomes hit a game-ending single in the ninth inning, Erick Fedde extended his scoreless streak to 20 innings and the Washington Nationals two-hit the first-place New York Mets in a 1-0 victory Friday night. Juan Soto opened the ninth with a walk and moved to third on Ryan Zimmerman’s single to right. Gomes then singled to left to beat Edwin Díaz (1-2). Brad Hand (4-2) pitched the ninth to close out Washington’s gem. The Nationals have won a season-high five straight. Fedde pitched seven dominant innings, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out six. The right-hander’s scoreless streak is the longest on the team this season. Fedde’s ERA is down to 3.33. Joey Lucchesi countered with 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five. Three Mets relievers followed with 2 2/3 scoreless before Díaz struggled in the ninth. ORIOLES 7, BLUE JAYS 1 BALTIMORE (AP) — Cedric Mullins homered twice and Thomas Eshelman pitched effectively... [More]

Jean Segura scored Ronald Torreyes with an infield single in the 10th inning for his second straight game-ending hit and the Philadelphia Phillies got a third consecutive walkoff win with an 8-7 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday. After Yankees star DJ LeMahieu hit a tying, three-run homer in the ninth, Archie Bradley (2-1) pitched a perfect 10th to strand the designated runner. Travis Jankowski led off the bottom of the inning against Aroldis Chapman (4-2) by reaching on the pitcher’s error. Jankowski bunted, and Chapman fielded the ball, checked Torreyes at second, then huried a throw high to first. Torreyes advanced to third. Odubel Herrera popped out, then Segura hit a hard grounder to third baseman Gio Urshela, who dived toward the line to catch it but couldn’t relay the ball home ahead of Torreyes. Bryce Harper doubled, had two singles and drove in two for the Phillies, who have won five of six. Gary Sánchez hit a solo homer and had an RBI single, and Rougned Odor also... [More]

Jean Segura scored Ronald Torreyes with an infield single in the 10th inning for his second straight game-ending hit and the Philadelphia Phillies got a third consecutive walkoff win with an 8-7 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday. After Yankees star DJ LeMahieu hit a tying, three-run homer in the ninth, Archie Bradley (2-1) pitched a perfect 10th to strand the designated runner. Travis Jankowski led off the bottom of the inning against Aroldis Chapman (4-2) by reaching on the pitcher’s error. Jankowski bunted, and Chapman fielded the ball, checked Torreyes at second, then huried a throw high to first. Torreyes advanced to third. Odubel Herrera popped out, then Segura hit a hard grounder to third baseman Gio Urshela, who dived toward the line to catch it but couldn’t relay the ball home ahead of Torreyes. Bryce Harper doubled, had two singles and drove in two for the Phillies, who have won five of six. Gary Sánchez hit a solo homer and had an RBI single, and Rougned Odor also... [More]

Jean Segura scored Ronald Torreyes with an infield single in the 10th inning for his second straight game-ending hit and the Philadelphia Phillies got a third consecutive walkoff win with an 8-7 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday. After Yankees star DJ LeMahieu hit a tying, three-run homer in the ninth, Archie Bradley (2-1) pitched a perfect 10th to strand the designated runner. Travis Jankowski led off the bottom of the inning against Aroldis Chapman (4-2) by reaching on the pitcher’s error. Jankowski bunted, and Chapman fielded the ball, checked Torreyes at second, then huried a throw high to first. Torreyes advanced to third. Odubel Herrera popped out, then Segura hit a hard grounder to third baseman Gio Urshela, who dived toward the line to catch it but couldn’t relay the ball home ahead of Torreyes. Bryce Harper doubled, had two singles and drove in two for the Phillies, who have won five of six. Gary Sánchez hit a solo homer and had an RBI single, and Rougned Odor also... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis pitcher Giovanny Gallegos, clinging to a one-run lead and two on in the seventh inning, was ordered by umpire Joe West to switch caps because there apparently was sunscreen on the bill. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, thinking his player was unfairly singled out, got ejected during an animated argument in St. Louis' 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.” Tommy Edman connected against Carlos Rodón (5-2) in the third and Aaron Bummer in the eighth for a 2-0 lead. Edmundo Sosa added a two-run single in the ninth, and the NL Central-leading Cardinals came away with the win after losing four of five. John Gant (3-2) dodged bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings while pitching into the sixth. TWINS 3, ORIOLES 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Miguel Sanó hit a three-run homer off Jorge López (1-6), and Minnesota completed a three-game sweep of the major league-worst Orioles, who have lost nine straight. Michael Pineda (3-2) allowed one run and three hits over six... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis pitcher Giovanny Gallegos, clinging to a one-run lead and two on in the seventh inning, was ordered by umpire Joe West to switch caps because there apparently was sunscreen on the bill. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, thinking his player was unfairly singled out, got ejected during an animated argument in St. Louis' 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.” Tommy Edman connected against Carlos Rodón (5-2) in the third and Aaron Bummer in the eighth for a 2-0 lead. Edmundo Sosa added a two-run single in the ninth, and the NL Central-leading Cardinals came away with the win after losing four of five. John Gant (3-2) dodged bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings while pitching into the sixth. TWINS 3, ORIOLES 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Miguel Sanó hit a three-run homer off Jorge López (1-6), and Minnesota completed a three-game sweep of the major league-worst Orioles, who have lost nine straight. Michael Pineda (3-2) allowed one run and three hits over six... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis pitcher Giovanny Gallegos, clinging to a one-run lead and two on in the seventh inning, was ordered by umpire Joe West to switch caps because there apparently was sunscreen on the bill. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, thinking his player was unfairly singled out, got ejected during an animated argument in St. Louis' 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.” Tommy Edman connected against Carlos Rodón (5-2) in the third and Aaron Bummer in the eighth for a 2-0 lead. Edmundo Sosa added a two-run single in the ninth, and the NL Central-leading Cardinals came away with the win after losing four of five. John Gant (3-2) dodged bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings while pitching into the sixth. TWINS 3, ORIOLES 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Miguel Sanó hit a three-run homer off Jorge López (1-6), and Minnesota completed a three-game sweep of the major league-worst Orioles, who have lost nine straight. Michael Pineda (3-2) allowed one run and three hits over six... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — St. Louis pitcher Giovanny Gallegos, clinging to a one-run lead and two on in the seventh inning, was ordered by umpire Joe West to switch caps because there apparently was sunscreen on the bill. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, thinking his player was unfairly singled out, got ejected during an animated argument in St. Louis' 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.” Tommy Edman connected against Carlos Rodón (5-2) in the third and Aaron Bummer in the eighth for a 2-0 lead. Edmundo Sosa added a two-run single in the ninth, and the NL Central-leading Cardinals came away with the win after losing four of five. John Gant (3-2) dodged bases-loaded jams in the first and third innings while pitching into the sixth. TWINS 3, ORIOLES 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Miguel Sanó hit a three-run homer off Jorge López (1-6), and Minnesota completed a three-game sweep of the major league-worst Orioles, who have lost nine straight. Michael Pineda (3-2) allowed one run and three hits over six... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — This year, the start of spring training was meaningful in a different way for AJ Hinch. After winning a World Series and two pennants as Houston's manager, Hinch spent last season serving a suspension in the aftermath of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Now he has resurfaced with Detroit, and although it would be a surprise if the Tigers make the postseason, Hinch just appreciates the opportunity to be back in a big league dugout. “I hated being out of the game last year," said Hinch, who was hired as Detroit's manager in October. "I understand why, and I’m not going to take it for granted that I get to put on a major league uniform again and lead a group of guys throughout the season.” The Tigers had their first workout for pitchers and catchers Wednesday in Lakeland, Florida. “It rained before and after our workout, but we got in the full day one," Hinch said. "Pretty fun day.” Hinch and the Astros won the World Series in 2017, but an investigation found the Astros used... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers are considering using a six-man rotation for at least some of this season as they return to a normal schedule with a pitching staff that will likely include some of the team's top prospects. General manager Al Avila spoke with reporters Tuesday, the day before Detroit's first workout for pitchers and catchers. “In our meeting today, we did discuss a six-man rotation, and then really, getting through the season and having relievers mixed in," Avila said. ”You might see more players being brought up and optioned throughout the season, as you need fresh arms from week to week.” Last year's abbreviated schedule lightened the workload for pitchers throughout baseball. Matthew Boyd led the Tigers in innings with 60 1/3. It remains to be seen how easily pitchers can re-adjust to a 162-game schedule, and Detroit has several young options who are still trying to establish themselves as big leaguers — and whose arms may need to be handled carefully. A six-man rotation... [More]

A team-by-team look at the American League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: ___ Minnesota Twins Manager: Rocco Baldelli (third season). 2020: 36-24, first place, lost to Houston in first round of playoffs. Training Town: Fort Myers, Florida. Park: Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex. First Workout: Feb. 19/23. He’s Here: SS Andrelton Simmons, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Shaun Anderson, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Keon Broxton, LHP Andrew Albers. He’s Outta Here: LF Eddie Rosario, RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jake Odorizzi, INF/OF Marwin Gonzalez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Tyler Clippard, RHP Matt Wisler, INF Ehire Adrianza, C Alex Avila. Going campin’: The Twins return largely the same team that won the last two AL Central titles, aiming to end their major league-record 18-game postseason losing streak. The pitching staff was superb... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins' first playoff appearance since 2003 is not supposed to last long. They're regarded as young, inexperienced overachievers who benefited from the short season and expanded playoff format. They were outscored by 41 runs this year, and no team has longer odds of winning the World Series at 33-1. But even if their postseason ends this week in the wild-card round at Wrigley Field, the Marlins believe it's just the beginning of a new era for the long-suffering franchise. Three years into CEO Derek Jeter's organizational overhaul, the Marlins appear to be built to last and just starting to win. They have an abundance of young pitching, a strong farm system and a modest, manageable payroll. One year removed from a 105-loss season, the NL East runner-up Marlins will face the NL Central champion Cubs in the best-of-three wild-card round beginning Wednesday. “To go through what we did last year, you feel like you're in a boat in the middle of the ocean and you have no... [More]