The Nationals released right-hander Jose Urena, according to his MLB.com profile page. Urena has been part of the Nats organization since May, when he inked a minor league contract after being released by the Rockies.
Things haven’t gone smoothly for Urena at either the major or minor league levels in 2023. He posted a 9.82 ERA with nine homers allowed over 18 1/3 innings for the Rockies, before being released at the end of April. Urena followed up those struggles with a 6.31 ERA in 67 frames for the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate, with 16 more long balls allowed. A low-strikeout grounder specialist throughout his career, Urena has had some home-run issues in the past, but those problems have become a full-blown crisis this season.
Colorado still owes Urena the balance of his 2023 salary — roughly $950K left of a $3MM guarantee, and there is a $500K buyout of his 2024 club option. The Nationals ended up not having to pay Urena even a prorated MLB minimum salary, as he never made Washington’s big league roster.
Rough 2023 numbers aside, there’s a chance Urena might still catch on elsewhere on a minors deal, as teams are always looking for starting pitching depth. The right-hander could also fill a roster hole left as clubs call up pitching prospects to the Show. However, with about a month left in the minor league season, teams also simply might prefer to give that remaining playing time to their future prospects, rather than a 31-year-old who hasn’t been effective at the MLB level (5.61 ERA in his last 324 innings) for a few years now.
Alex Cora: Please, Chiam! I must have him!
Braves should pick him up so they could take him out behind the left field bleachers and stomp the fish outta him
Was this Urena’s last dance in pro ball? He hasn’t been good in years now.
I doubt it’s his last chance in pro ball. He could step away from affiliated ball for a while and go to an independent league like Atlantic or Frontier or head overseas if he doesn’t get another shot now.
Hasn’t been the same since he accidentally plunked Ronald.
I was gonna say that to.
Accidentally my butt
We’d rather not know about your medical procedures on here.
The Rockies might as well pick him back up just to eat some innings since they are paying him anyway.
I wonder if he could reinvent himself as an outfielder?
Good idea! Then he would have to hit against them that have a reason to throw high heat at his head
Eh… if anyone deserved to get plucked it’s Acuna anyway
Why? Because he’s good?