HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- After finishing his fourth rehab start on Sunday in San Antonio, Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy says he's ready to rejoin the team's rotation after missing the last three months with a shoulder injury.
"I threw 80 pitches yesterday without issues," Urquidy said Monday. "Everything was fine, and I completed my rehab assignment, let's see what's the next step."
Astros manager Dusty Baker said the team would decide what's next for Urquidy in the next day or two, but he was encouraged by Sunday's outing.
"I heard he threw the ball pretty good," Baker said. "He was working on some things, he got hit a little bit, but the main thing is he felt good and he came out of it and in great shape."
Against the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, Urquidy allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings five says after holding the Missions to one hit over four shutout innings. Despite the poor results, Urquidy said he was pleased with Sunday's start after watching video on Monday morning.
"The location of the pitches (was good), the changeup was really good, fastball, the same, but the stuff looks pretty similar as always."
Urquidy has not pitched in the Majors since he left his April 30 start against the Phillies with right shoulder discomfort, and he admitted the road back has been difficult.
"It was a very hard process, for sure. It was a long, long rehab, three months is kind of tiring, and I got mad sometimes because I want to be here, but I can't pitch with pain, so at this point I feel very healthy, very strong."
