Angels make MLB history by signing former Twins journeyman pitcher José Ureña
The Los Angeles Angels signed former Twins right-handed pitcher José Ureña, who elected free agency on Aug. 26 after Minnesota designated him for assignment, to a major league contract on Sunday after placing left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain.
The Angels are Ureña’s fifth team this season, which ties an MLB record set by relievers Oliver Drake (one of his five teams was the Twins) in 2018 and Mike Baumann in 2024.
Besides the Twins and Angels, Ureña has played for the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers this season. In his career, Ureña has also played for the Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. If Ureña, 33, finds himself on three more teams in his career, he will tie an MLB record set by left-handed pitcher Rich Hill and right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson.
Given where the Angels are currently at in the standings (8 1/2 games back of the third American League Wild Card spot with a 64-73 win-loss record), Los Angeles’ main reason for signing Ureña is to have a veteran eat innings for the remainder of the season.
It’s very possible that Ureña, who has a career 4.77 ERA with 655 strikeouts and 367 walks in 984 1/3 innings, may not be on the Angels throughout the remainder of the year. Still, he nevertheless gives the Angels value as a veteran arm who can eat innings without the team worrying about his workload, since he likely isn’t in the team’s plans beyond this season.
Ureña signed a minor league deal with the Twins on June 24. He had a 4.05 ERA in 13 1/3 innings across six outings (four starts) for Triple-A St. Paul before being promoted after Minnesota’s trade deadline fire sale.
Ureña struggled to pitch consistently well with Minnesota, posting a 4.58 ERA with 10 strikeouts and eight walks in 17 2/3 innings over four appearances (three starts).
However, it was clear from the start that Ureña was with the Twins to eat innings until Mick Abel and/or Taj Bradley were ready to be promoted.
