Full Breakdown
White Sox Acquire Pitcher José Urquidy from Pirates Ahead of Trade Deadline
7/27/2026, 3:44:05 AM
Core Transaction
The Chicago White Sox have completed a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, acquiring right-handed pitcher José Urquidy in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Felix Doroteo. The move was reported on July 26, 2026, after the Pirates designated Urquidy for assignment on July 24, 2026, to clear a 40-man roster spot for catcher Shawn Ross.
Background & Context
Chicago entered the final week of the 2026 season with a 1.5-game lead in the AL Central and a 2.5-game advantage over the Cleveland Guardians. The White Sox, seeking to end a five-year postseason drought, have been active at the trade deadline to shore up a rotation that ranks 11th in MLB with a 4.12 ERA.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, sits one game behind the NL Wild-Card line and has been making roster adjustments to accommodate injuries at catcher, including the recent placement of Rafael Flores Jr. on the injured list.
Player Profiles & Recent Performance
José Urquidy – 31, right-hander
- Major-league 2026: 8.53 ERA in 6.1 innings (five outings), .441 batting average allowed, 2.68 WHIP.
- Triple-A Indianapolis (2026): 3.66 ERA over 83.2 innings, including a 1.74 ERA across his last six starts (31 innings) (Bleacher Report, Soxon35th).
- Spring training: posted a 9.28 ERA over three starts in four appearances.
- Contract: one-year, $1.5 million deal signed in the offseason.
Felix Doroteo – 21, right-hander, Dominican Republic
- Arizona Complex League (2026): 4.50 ERA in 18 innings, 24 strikeouts and 11 walks.
- Physical profile: 6-foot-6, fastball reaching 96 mph.
Roster Moves Driving the Trade
The Pirates’ decision to DFA Urquidy on July 24, 2026, was explained by General Manager Ben Cherington, who said the club needed the 40-man roster spot for catcher Shawn Ross after injuries depleted the catching corps. Cherington noted that Urquidy had not pitched for Pittsburgh since mid-April and that the rotation remained healthy, leaving limited opportunity for his return.
Chicago’s front office has not issued a detailed public statement, but internal reporting indicates Urquidy will be assigned to Triple-A for the remainder of the season.
Impact on the Teams
*White Sox*: The addition provides a swing-and-miss sweeper and a five-pitch mix (fastball, sinker, changeup, sweeper, curveball) that could bolster both the rotation and bullpen depth. With the rotation already top-heavy—Sean Burke, Davis Martin, and Anthony Kay handling the bulk of innings—the Sox are looking for flexible arms as they approach the postseason stretch.
*Pirates*: Acquiring Doroteo adds a high-ceiling, long-armed prospect to a system that has limited major-league depth at right-handed pitching. While Doroteo remains a rookie-level arm, his size and velocity align with Pittsburgh’s long-term development goals.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact return the Pirates received. Bleacher Report and SI identify Doroteo as the primary asset, while Rumbunter cites a tweet from Mark Feinsand suggesting the trade may have also involved cash considerations. No official confirmation of additional compensation has been provided.
What’s Next
Urquidy is expected to report to the White Sox Triple-A affiliate, where he will continue to pitch while Chicago evaluates his role for the final stretch of the season. The Pirates will integrate Doroteo into their Arizona Complex League rotation and monitor his development through the remainder of the year.
