By Sunday 
A Veteran Arm Joins the Mix
The New York Mets have added some experienced pitching depth, signing veteran right-hander José Ureña to a minor league deal. The move, first reported by Tim Healey, gives the Mets another versatile arm as they look to fortify their rotation and bullpen.
Ureña, now entering his age-34 season, brings a decade of MLB experience, having pitched for six different teams, including the Marlins, Tigers, Brewers, Rockies, White Sox, and most recently, the Rangers. Throughout his career, he has bounced between starting and relieving, making him a flexible option for New York’s pitching staff.
A Ground-Ball Specialist
Last season with Texas, Ureña made nine starts and 24 relief appearances, logging 109 innings with a solid 3.80 ERA. While he’s never been a strikeout-heavy pitcher, he excels at inducing ground balls, posting a 49.7% ground ball rate in 2024—good enough to place him in the 84th percentile among major league pitchers.
Interestingly, his ERA as a reliever last season was nearly a full run lower than when he started, potentially hinting at his best role moving forward. If the Mets use him primarily out of the bullpen, he could provide valuable innings in middle relief or as a spot starter when needed.
Insurance for a Shaky Rotation
This signing comes at a time when the Mets are dealing with injuries in their rotation. With Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas sidelined, Ureña offers additional depth alongside arms like Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn, Max Kranick, and Griffin Canning.
While he may not be a high-profile addition, Ureña’s durability and versatility could prove valuable, especially if he thrives in a bullpen role. The Mets have little to lose with this move—and if Ureña exceeds expectations, they may have found themselves a hidden gem.