The New York Mets bolster their pitching depth amidst injury concerns, signing veteran right-hander Jose Ureña to a minor league deal as spring training commences in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Ureña, a non-roster invitee, confirmed his presence in camp to Newsday’s Tim Healey on Thursday, aiming to seize an opportunity with the Mets.
Jose Urena told Jose Urena in the clubhouse that The Mets had signed him to a Minor League deal.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) February 27, 2025
The 33-year-old Ureña brings a wealth of MLB experience, compiling a 44-77 record with a 4.76 ERA across stints with the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers. He had a 5-8 record with the Rangers and a ERA of 3.80 in 33 games, nine starts included.
The Mets are in immediate need of pitching depth. Right-hander Frankie Montas has been sidelined by a lat strain and left-hander Sean Manaea suffers from an oblique injury. The Mets expect both pitchers to start the season on injured lists.
Manaea is not sure when he will return. Anthony DiComo, of MLB.com, says that he will have to wait two or three weeks before resuming spring training. This makes a return by mid-late April highly unlikely. Montas is in a more serious situation. His lat injury will prevent him from pitching for 6-8 weeks. This could delay his debut season until June or May.
Amidst these injuries, Jose Ureña hopes to recapture the form he displayed early in his career. Jose Urena enjoyed a stellar 2017 with the Miami Marlins. He went 14-7, posting a 3.7 ERA across 169.2 inning. His 2018 season was also impressive, as he posted a 9.12, 3.98 ERA with 31 starts and 174 total innings.
Ureña’s journey has taken him through multiple organizations in recent years, and the Mets represent his sixth team in the last five seasons. In order to help the Mets overcome their pitching difficulties in the early part of season, Urena hopes to prove himself again as a reliable MLB starter.