HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Jose Urquidy took the mound at Minute Maid Park on Thursday knowing it could be his final start as an Astro. The right-hander's name has been mentioned in trade talks ahead of Tuesday's deadline as the Astros look to bolster their roster for another playoff run and Urquidy admitted to seeing the rumors.
"I got all social media and I saw when people tag me in some news," Urquidy said after the Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Thursday night.
The Astros are currently working with a six-man rotation and with Lance McCullers Jr expected to rejoin the club at some point next month along with top prospect Hunter Brown dominating Triple-A, the team has a starting pitching surplus. With three years of club control after 2022, Urquidy could be in demand.
"If something happens, let's see," Urquidy said. "I will have that same focus. I would like to stay here for many years, but I know this is a business. If that happens, I have to play and work hard."
Urquidy held the Mariners to two runs over 6.2 innings on Thurday, dropping his ERA to 3.86 after 19 starts this season. He's amassed a 2.60 ERA in eight straight quality starts after starting the season with a 5.04 ERA over his first 11 outings.
"We love playing behind him," Astros third baseman Alex Bregman said. "He's an unbelievable teammate. He shows up, he's the same guy every single day and loves competing."
