The Toronto Blue Jays signed right-hander Jose Urena to a Major League deal on Monday. A day later, the veteran debuted in the team’s 8-3 loss.
For the Blue Jays, pitching has been a need over the past few weeks, with injuries to their rotation. Urena didn’t throw the baseball at a bad level, allowing just two earned runs in 4.1 innings of work.
For his first start with his new team, he did what he had to do, something the Blue Jays should be happy about.
“It’s the game, it’s baseball,” Urena said, per MLB.com. “Sometimes, [it] doesn’t go the way you want. You try to put your mind right and think, and be accountable. Try to have faith and trust what you got, and take the opportunity whenever they bring it.”
Urena has been in the league since the 2015 season, where he made his debut for the Miami Marlins. Throughout his career, he’s been an above-4.50 ERA pitcher.
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However, for the Texas Rangers last season, in 33 appearances, he posted a 3.80 ERA.
Urena is a respectable arm around the league, and skipper John Schneider acknowledged that after his first start.
Being a professional, which Schneider highlighted, is something that can’t be replicated by many players in the league. There’s a reason why Urena has been around Major League Baseball for as long as he has, and there’s something to be said about that.
“We’ve liked him for a while, we know what he’s about,” Schneider said. “He’s a pro.”
The Blue Jays will hope he can continue throwing the baseball at that type of level, even if it’s for a couple of weeks.
