Houston Astros pitchers Luis Garcia (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow), Jose Urquidy (forearm) and Penn Murfee (elbow) all played catch at Minute Maid Park on Monday. Left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) is scheduled to play catch Tuesday. Garcia, McCullers and Murfee are all currently on the 60-day injured list. Garcia is recovering from Tommy John surgery last May and isn't expected to be an option for the 'Stros until around midseason at least. McCullers, 30, is expected to be out until late June or early July as he recovers from right-elbow surgery. After missing a huge chunk of last season, the 28-year-old Urquidy has now been out almost a month with a right-forearm strain. Barring a setback, he should be the first of this group to return for Houston's rotation.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) is "really close" to throwing off a mound, according to manager Joe Espada. It's good news for Urquidy, but he still has a ways to go before thinking about rejoining Houston's starting rotation. The 28-year-old Mexican hurler has been out for almost a month due to a right-forearm strain suffered in spring training and probably won't be ready to return until some point in May. And when he does return, there's no guarantee that he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him if Justin Verlander (shoulder) and Framber Valdez (elbow) are back and healthy by then. Urquidy also missed significant time due to a shoulder injury in 2023 and doesn't have much fantasy upside for those in mixed leagues when he's healthy.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) said he's hopeful that he can resume throwing after a break of 10 to 15 days. He said his MRI exam showed inflammation but no structural issues with his elbow ligament. It's great news that Urquidy doesn't have any damage to his ligament, but he'll obviously be forced to start the 2024 season on the injured list and he could miss the first month of the year. The 28-year-old appeared in only 16 games (10 starts) for Houston during the regular season in 2023, too, so the injuries have piled up for him of late. There was already limited fantasy upside to begin with, so managers in mixed leagues can look elsewhere. With Justin Verlander (shoulder) also opening the year on the injured list, the Astros' starting rotation will be lacking in depth to open the season.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) won't throw "for a while" after being diagnosed with a right-forearm strain on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is obviously going to begin the 2024 season on the injured list and could miss a good chunk of the first of the season, if not the entire year, depending on whether he needs surgery on his arm. Houston's starting rotation is going to be undermanned to begin the year, with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (shoulder) also set to start the year on the injured list as he works his way back from right-shoulder issues. Urquidy wasn't a fantasy factor in mixed leagues to begin with, but now he can also be avoided in AL-only single-year leagues.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) has been diagnosed with a forearm muscle strain, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is not throwing for now in camp and will not open the 2024 regular season in the team's starting rotation. The 28-year-old pulled himself out of a minor-league game in camp last Friday and will now be forced to open the year on the injured list. It's bad news for a pitcher that already wasn't very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues after he missed most of 2023 due to arm injuries. He had a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in only 63 innings last season. With both Urquidy and Justin Verlander (shoulder) set to begin the year on the IL, and with Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) to miss the first half of the season, J.P. France and Ronel Blanco are expected to open the year in the starting rotation.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (elbow) flew back to Houston on Saturday to be examined by doctors after he showed up to camp with his elbow still sore. Urquidy felt some right-elbow discomfort during a minor-league game on Friday and pulled himself from the contest. The fact that the 28-year-old is now going for tests on his right elbow is pretty concerning, especially considering he was on the 60-day injured list in 2023 with an arm injury. Already not much of a mixed-league fantasy asset, Urquidy should be ignored in upcoming drafts for better and more healthy late-round options. With both Urquidy and veteran Justin Verlander (shoulder) dealing with arm injuries late in camp, it may push the Astros to pull the trigger on signing free-agent left-hander Blake Snell. Urquidy is probably a lock to start the year on the injured list.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (elbow) pulled himself from a minor-league game in camp on Friday after 43 pitches due to right-elbow pain, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is being evaluated by team trainers right now, but we might not have an update on his injury until later on Friday or Saturday morning. The Astros will already be without veteran All-Star Justin Verlander (shoulder) to open the 2024 regular season, so their starting rotation can ill-afford another injury. However, perhaps it spurs the organization to sign left-hander Blake Snell, who won his second Cy Young award with the San Diego Padres in 2023. Urquidy's 2023 campaign was ruined by injuries, too, so his AL-only value is on shaky ground with the regular season starting in several weeks.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Tuesday that he is confident in the team's current pitching depth despite Justin Verlander (shoulder) starting the season on the injured list. He stated that the back of the rotation will comprise Jose Urquidy and J.P. France (shoulder). Urquidy managed just 63 innings pitched last season before missing time with right shoulder discomfort, but he has pitched five scoreless innings with four strikeouts to start his spring. France is currently dealing with right shoulder inflammation but is on track for Opening Day and pitched well last season in 23 starts. Both pitchers offer little strikeout upside but could be worth a look at the end of deeper points league drafts at this time.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy said he discovered this offseason that he was tipping some of his pitches last year by how he moved/squeezed his glove in his delivery. Urquidy worked over the winter to solve that problem while also strengthening his lat/shoulder area where he got hurt in 2023. The 28-year-old Mexican hurler only made 16 regular-season appearances (10 starts) last year over 63 innings due to right-shoulder inflammation and went 3-3 with a career-worst 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 25 walks and 45 strikeouts. He's competing for a rotation spot this spring with J.P. France. With a 19.6% career strikeout rate and coming off a lost season due to injuries, Urquidy will be a matchup-based streamer in deep-mixed leagues, at best, if he wins a starting role in 2024.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy will start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday in Texas against the Rangers as the Astros look to even up the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Urquidy allowed two earned runs on three hits (two home runs) while walking one and striking out six to pick up the win in 5 2/3 innings in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins in his only postseason appearance this year. The Rangers bats have cooled off a bit so far in the ALCS, but Urquidy still faces a tough assignment on the road on Thursday. The 28-year-old Mexican only appeared in 16 games (10 starts) during the regular season while missing a big chunk of time due to injury, and he didn't face the Rangers at all in 2023.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday in Minnesota against the Twins. It will be Urquidy instead of right-hander J.P. France in Game 4 as the Astros look to finish off the Twins and advance to the Championship Series. The 28-year-old Urquidy will be making his first playoff appearance this year after tossing nine shutout innings with four walks and four strikeouts in two appearances (one start) to close out the regular season. Urquidy missed a large chunk of the 2023 season due to injury and had a 5.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and only 45 K's in 63 innings over 16 outings (10 starts). He faced the Twins just once this year back on April 7 and allowed an earned run while walking one and striking out six in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. Urquidy will have a short leash and isn't a big strikeout artist.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said the team is wrestling with a couple of pitchers -- J.P. France and Jose Urquidy -- for the Game 4 start of the American League Division Series in Minnesota against the Twins on Wednesday. France had a rough second half of the season, but overall he was solid for Houston with an 11-6 record, 3.83 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 136 1/3 innings over 24 appearances (23 starts). Urquidy was much more inconsistent (5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with only 45 strikeouts in 63 innings) and missed a big chunk of the regular season due to injury. The 28-year-old right-hander pitched in only 16 games (10 starts) all year. France is the more likely choice and the more intriguing DFS option.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said that right-hander Jose Urquidy will likely work out of the bullpen in the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins, which starts on Saturday in Houston. Urquidy tossed six scoreless innings last Friday in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the Astros have starters Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier lined up for the first three games of the best-of-five ALDS already. Urquidy wasn't all that reliable during the regular season anyway, going 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA (5.38 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, one save, 25 walks and 45 strikeouts in 63 innings over 16 appearances (10 starts) for Houston while missing significant time with an injury. He could rejoin the rotation if the Astros advance to the ALCS.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) will return from the injured list to start on Sunday against the New York Yankees. Urquidy will push lefty J.P. France to Houston's bullpen for now. There are a lot of reasons for fantasy managers to ignore Urquidy in his return this weekend, even against the last-place Yankees. The 28-year-old Mexican starter didn't exactly look sharp in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land (five runs allowed in five innings). He also hasn't pitched in the big leagues since April 30 due to right-shoulder inflammation. And when Urquidy is fully healthy, he's not all that overpowering to begin with, so the fantasy ceiling and floor are pretty low.

If Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy's (shoulder) bullpen session goes well, he could return from the injured list to take the ball on Sunday against the New York Yankees. We wouldn't recommend using Urquidy in DFS or season-long fantasy leagues in his first start back, though, since he has missed the last three months of action. The 28-year-old hurler has never been a very dominant starter, either, and he allowed five earned runs on nine hits in five innings of work in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land last weekend. Urquidy might not be limited from a pitch-count perspective on Sunday, but he'll be much too risky for fantasy purposes. The Mexican righty had a 5.20 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23 K's in 27 2/3 frames in his six starts earlier this season before going on the shelf.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (shoulder) made his fourth and hopefully his final rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday. The right-hander was hit around for five runs over four innings of work. The good news is, Urquidy increased his pitch count to 76 and is expected to rejoin the Astros rotation later this week. The 28-year-old has been out since late April due to right shoulder inflammation. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help should check to the waiver wire to see if Urquidy is available.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) will make his fourth and final minor-league rehab start on Sunday for Double-A Corpus Christi. He made his third rehab start on Tuesday and tossed four scoreless innings and 53 pitches while striking out four and giving up just one hit. Before suffering from right-shoulder inflammation on April 30, Urquidy had gone 2-2 with a 5.20 ERA in six starts for the Astros. As long as the 28-year-old doesn't suffer a setback on Sunday, he should return to the team's starting rotation next week in a matchup on the road against the New York Yankees. Fantasy managers will probably want to avoid him for that matchup, even though the Yankees offense has been dormant for much of the year.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) made his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and allowed two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two over 45 pitches in three innings. He gave up two unearned runs while walking one and striking out two in two innings in his first rehab start with Sugar Land on July 14. The plan is for Urquidy to report to Double-A Corpus Christi to make two starts, the first of which will be four innings, followed by a five-inning outing on July 30. Barring a setback, he could then rejoin Houston's starting rotation in early August. The 28-year-old will be returning to a 2-2 record, 5.20 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings over his six starts this year.

Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. Urquidy will take the next step toward returning from the injured list after throwing a live batting practice session on Sunday. The 28-year-old starting pitcher has been sidelined since early May due to right-shoulder inflammation, so he'll need at least several rehab starts in the minors before he's ready to return to Houston's starting rotation. Barring a setback, Urquidy should be back in the big leagues before the end of July. He's not nearly as dominant as some of the other pitchers in the Astros' rotation, though, and he'll be returning to a 5.20 ERA (5.63 FIP), 1.55 WHIP, 10 walks and 23 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings over just six starts.