The Rangers placed Urena on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right shoulder fatigue.
Urena will be eligible for activation Sept. 29, but since the Rangers will wrap up their regular season that day, he'll most likely be shelved for the remainder of 2024. The right-hander served as an occasional rotation fill-in and long-relief option this season, making 33 appearances (nine starts) and providing a 3.80 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 70:39 K:BB across 109 innings. Urena is scheduled to become a free agent this winter.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Yields three runs as bulk reliever
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Urena did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Angels. He struck out three.
The veteran right-hander served as the bulk reliever, firing 75 pitches and finishing the game after Gerson Garabito and Walter Pennington began the contest with 3.1 combined innings. All three runs Urena allowed came via a homer by Logan O'Hoppe in the sixth inning. The 32-year-old has been a versatile arm for manager Bruce Bochy, plugging holes created by numerous rotation injuries this season. Urena's made 32 appearances -- including nine starts -- while pitching to a 3.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 68:38 K:BB across 107.1 innings.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Works in bulk relief Sunday
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Urena gave up one run on eight hits and one walk while striking out two across 4.2 innings of relief in Sunday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Athletics.
For the sixth appearance in a row, Urena covered at least four innings, with each of the latter three outings coming out of the bullpen. With Walter Pennington serving as the Rangers' opening pitcher and recording the first five outs, Urena came on to spell him as a bulk reliever. Urena was on track for a win after departing with a 2-1 lead following the sixth inning, but the Athletics rallied for the tying run in the top of the eighth to deny him the victory.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Returns to bullpen, grabs win
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Urena (4-8) scooped up a win while working in long relief in Monday's 4-3 victory over the Pirates covering four scoreless innings and striking out three batters. He scattered two hits and two walks.
After starting in his last three appearances and taking losses each time out, Urena was moved to the bullpen Monday with the Rangers opting to keep Cody Bradford and Dane Dunning in place as back-end starters in the rotation. Dunning opened Monday's game and gave up three runs over four innings prior to getting piggybacked by Urena, who was able to maintain the Rangers' one-run lead for the next four innings before handing the ball off to closer Kirby Yates in the bottom of the ninth. Though Urena could have a chance at poaching more wins if the Rangers continue to deploy him in tandem with Dunning in the latter's future starts, manager Bruce Bochy is likely to be more flexible with his usage of Urena, making it difficult to stream him with much reliability.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Bounced by BoSox
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Urena (3-8) took the loss Tuesday as the Rangers were downed 9-4 by the Red Sox, coughing up six runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.
The 32-year-old right-hander held Boston to one run through the first four innings but fell apart in the fifth, getting chased from the game after serving up a three-run homer to Connor Wong. Urena's return to the rotation in August has been a disaster, and he's been saddled with a 10.66 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB through 12.2 innings over three starts. With Max Scherzer (shoulder), Jon Gray (groin) and Jacob deGrom (elbow) all lacking clear timelines to rejoin the rotation, the Rangers might be stuck with Urena in the role, although Dane Dunning could be stretched out enough to be an option.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Zero strikeouts in defeat
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Urena (3-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Astros, allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. He did not record a strikeout.
Urena was fortunate to escape with only two earned runs allowed as he put multiple baserunners on in each of the first three frames. He stranded seven runners with the help of two double plays. The 32-year-old failed to record a strikeout Wednesday and has now registered a paltry four punchouts over his last three appearances (12.1 innings). During that span, the right-hander owns an ugly 7.30 ERA, 2.64 WHIP and 4:3 K:BB. With Max Scherzer (fatigue) out until at least Aug. 15, Urena could make another start for the short-handed Rangers. If he does stick around in the rotation, Urena will likely face off against the Red Sox early next week.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Slated for another start
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Urena is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Astros at Globe Life Field.
He'll be making his second straight turn through the rotation, despite being tagged for seven earned runs in four innings in a loss to the Red Sox his last time out Friday. Texas will have a spot in the rotation available for as long as both Jon Gray (groin) and Max Scherzer (shoulder) are on the shelf, but another poor showing Wednesday could nonetheless put Urena at risk of being moved to the bullpen, if not cast off the roster. Long relievers Cody Bradford and Dane Dunning loom as alternatives for the No. 5 spot if Urena can't get the job done.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Roughed up in loss
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Urena (3-6) took the loss Friday against the Red Sox, allowing seven runs on eight hits and no walks over four innings. He struck out two.
The veteran right-hander made his first start since June 5, firing 69 total pitches in this outing. Despite entering with an impressive 2.84 ERA over 31.2 innings across six starts this season, Urena was knocked around by the Red Sox, yielding three extra-base hits en route to a season-worst seven runs. With Max Scherzer (shoulder) hitting the injured list Friday, Urena likely sticks in the Texas rotation for the time being. He lines up to face the Yankees on the road in his next start.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Earns unconventional save
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Urena picked up the save Sunday against Kansas City, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout across four scoreless innings.
The Rangers needed only two pitchers Sunday, with Max Scherzer handling the first five frames before giving way to Urena for the final 12 outs. The save was Urena's first since 2019 and just the fifth of his nine-year MLB career. While the 32-year-old allowed two baserunners, he faced only 12 batters as Maikel Garcia got caught stealing in the sixth and Nelson Velazquez grounded into a double play in the eighth. In 19 appearances (six starts), Urena owns a 2.92 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP but has a 16.8 percent strikeout rate.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Works as long reliever Friday
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Urena allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners.
Starter Andrew Heaney struggled over 4.2 innings, but Urena's strong performance spared the Rangers' bullpen. Prior to Friday, Urena had worked as a starter, covering 31.2 innings with a 2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over his previous six appearances. Urena's at a 3.23 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB through 55.2 innings overall. The Rangers have a short-term dilemma on their hands, as Urena has been at least as good as Heaney, though both pitchers could be out of the rotation once Max Scherzer (back/arm) is able to return.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Cruises to win Wednesday
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Urena (2-5) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.
Urena got through five perfect frames until Tigers rookie Justyn-Henry Malloy tagged him for his first MLB homer leading off the sixth inning. Urena rebounded by retiring the next five batters before getting pulled following a two-out walk in the seventh. The veteran righty's 6.2 frames tied a season-high mark and were enough to give him his third quality start over his past five appearances. Despite Urena's strong outing, he may be pushed out of the rotation this weekend if Jon Gray (groin) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Early exit in Miami
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Urena (1-5) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings as the Rangers fell 8-2 to the Marlins. He struck out one.
An error by Marcus Semien in the third inning did Urena no favors, but the right-hander also wasn't fooling anyone, managing only five swinging strikes among his 65 pitches before getting the hook. Urena is on his fifth team in four seasons since leaving Miami after the 2020 campaign, and while he sports a solid 3.74 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through 45.2 innings for Texas this year, his 5.61 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over the prior three seasons suggest regression is coming. If he gets another turn through the rotation, Urena lines up for a home start next week, either Wednesday against the Tigers or Friday against the Giants.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Cleared to start Friday
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Urena (lower leg) said that he's been cleared to start Friday against the Marlins, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
Urena departed his most recent start last Friday versus the Twins after being struck in the left foot/ankle area by a comebacker. He checked out fine, though, and isn't expected to have any limitations Friday against one of his former clubs. Urena has been surprisingly solid since sliding into the Texas rotation, holding a 2.78 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering four starts. That said, with Nathan Eovaldi returning from the injured list Tuesday and with Jon Gray (groin) potentially set to be activated next week, Urena wouldn't appear to be guaranteed any starts beyond Friday.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Quality start Saturday
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Urena allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.
Urena has allowed five runs (four earned) over 17.2 innings across his three starts, though he has just one win to show for it in that span. The lone run on his ledger Saturday came from a Taylor Ward solo home run. Urena now has a 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB over 38.1 innings across 13 appearances (three starts) this season. Dane Dunning (shoulder) and Nathan Eovaldi (groin) both resumed mound work this week as part of their injury rehab, so Urena seems likely to get another start, which is projected to be a tough road outing in Philadelphia.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Pitches well in loss
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Urena (1-3) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over 6.2 innings, but he took the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.
Urena pitched well, especially given the unfriendly venue, in his second start of the campaign. He's allowed four runs (three earned) with a 5:3 K:BB over 11.2 innings across two starts since moving into the rotation. Urena has a 3.62 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 21:12 K:BB over 32.1 innings across 12 appearances this season, though he began the year as a long reliever. If Nathan Eovaldi (groin) can return when first eligible May 18, Urena will likely return to the bullpen. A pair of off days (Thursday and Monday, May 20) could also allow the Rangers to get by with a four-man rotation temporarily, though Urena's pitched well enough that it wouldn't be odd to see him get another start.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Starting again Sunday
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Urena will start Sunday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field.
He'll make his second straight turn through the rotation after picking up a win in Tuesday's 15-8 victory over the Athletics while holding Oakland to two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings. The Rangers should have starting roles available for both Urena and Jack Leiter until the team gets one of Nathan Eovaldi (groin), Max Scherzer (back) or Dane Dunning (shoulder) back from the injured list.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Earns win in first start
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Urena (1-2) earned the win in Tuesday's 15-8 victory over Oakland, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out two.
Urena was able to minimize the damage through his first two innings before holding the Athletics to just one baserunner (who reached on an error) over his final three frames. The 32-year-old Urena had allowed four earned runs over 3.2 innings in his previous two appearances out of the bullpen. His ERA sits at 3.86 with a 1.29 WHIP and 18:11 K:BB this season. With Nathan Eovaldi (groin) working his way back from the IL, Urena will likely return to a relief role.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Starting Tuesday
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Urena will start Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Urena will make his first start of the 2024 season, though he's given the Rangers length out of the bullpen at times through the first month of the campaign. He most recently worked three frames April 27 vs. Cincinnati and three innings April 18 against Detroit. He'll likely be called upon to eat anywhere from two to four innings Tuesday if all goes according to plan.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Hits first road bump in loss
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Urena (0-1) picked up the loss to Houston on Saturday. He allowed five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings.
Urena allowed his first runs of the season after throwing 9.1 scoreless frames. He ran into some bad luck during Houston's seven-run seventh inning. Three of the five hits allowed during the inning had expected batting averages of .040, .150 and .180.
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Rangers' Jose Urena: Opens eyes in loss
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Urena allowed one hit and struck out four over four scoreless relief innings in Monday's 10-5 loss to Houston.
The Rangers had all sorts of pitching issues Monday, but Urena wasn't one of them. He entered to start the sixth inning with Texas losing 10-5 and held the Astros in check. Unfortunately for the Rangers, their high-powered offense was unable mount a challenge against a string of Houston relievers. An under-the-radar offseason addition, Urena's strong spring earned him a roster spot as a flexible member of the bullpen that can provide length. He's yet to allow a run over three outings -- two hits, two walks and seven strikeouts over 7.1 innings.
