Houston Astros Agree to Terms With Veteran Hurler to Avoid Arbitration

The Houston Astros have locked up one of their starting pitchers for 2024 and avoided arbitration.

Without the ability to make major additions this offseason, the Houston Astros had to ensure they kept as many players on their championship caliber roster as possible before the season starts.

The lineup is pretty much intact, with star players littered throughout the batting order.

But, pitching is where things are a little dicey for the Astros.

Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander and Cristian Javier are likely the one through three starters.

After that is where things get murky.

Because of injuries to Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia that are scheduled to keep them out until summer, Houston will once again have to rely on Hunter Brown and J.P. France like they did last season during their rookie years.

The Astros are hoping they get much more work out of their veteran Jose Urquidy this season after agreeing to a $3.75 million contract to avoid arbitration as reported by Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

The righty started six games for them in 2023 before being placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder soreness and eventually getting moved to the 60-day IL.

He made his return in August, but wasn't the same pitcher he'd been in the past, finishing with a 5.39 ERA.

Prior to that, Urquidy had been one of the top pitchers in their rotation, posting an ERA of 3.58 across 60 starts and 63 appearances.

Having him healthy and back in the mix should be a major boost for the Astros' rotation with others returning later in the year.

This will give them more options in their bullpen, something they desperately need after losing three of their star relievers and only acquiring one replacement so far this offseason.