Pirates and pitcher Urquidy finalize deal
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Jose Urquidy and the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract on Wednesday.
The sides agreed to terms last week, subject to a successful physical.
A 30-year-old right-hander, Urquidy adds depth to a Pirates pitching staff headed by NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and gives the team roster flexibility because he can be optioned to the minor leagues.
Urquidy had Tommy John surgery on June 5, 2024, while with Houston. He signed a $1 million, one-year deal with Detroit last March and returned to the majors on Sept. 14. He made two big league relief appearances and had a 7.71 ERA over 2 1/3 innings.
A six-year major league veteran, Urquidy is 27-16 with a 4.00 ERA in 70 starts and 11 relief appearances for the Astros (2019-23) and Tigers. He was on the injured list with a forearm strain in 2024 before having surgery.
Urquidy has a 4.08 ERA in 15 postseason appearances, including eight starts.
Orioles add RH Bassitt
The Baltimore Orioles added Chris Bassitt to their improved rotation on Wednesday, agreeing to an $18.5 million, one-year contract with the right-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus, and Bassitt can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses if he starts at least 27 games.
ESPN was the first to report on the contract.
Bassitt, who turns 37 on Feb. 22, went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA for AL champion Toronto last year. He has made at least 27 starts and pitched at least 157 1/3 innings in each of the last five seasons.
Bassitt joins a Baltimore rotation that includes Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers and Zach Eflin. Baz was acquired in a December trade with Tampa Bay, and Eflin re-signed with the Orioles for a $10 million, one-year contract.



