Urquidy exits in 4th with shoulder discomfort
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HOUSTON -- Astros starting pitcher José Urquidy was removed from Wednesday’s 9-1 win over the Angels at Minute Maid Park after 3 2/3 scoreless innings with right posterior shoulder discomfort. He’s considered day to day.
Urquidy had been cruising, retiring 12 of the first 14 batters he faced with four strikeouts. Urquidy was being extremely efficient and had thrown 34 pitches through three innings and came out after throwing his 44th pitch. That’s when Astros pitching coach Brent Strom and a trainer went to the mound, with manager Dusty Baker soon being summoned from the dugout.
“His velocity went down,” Baker said. “He threw a real slow curveball and looked over at [catcher Martín Maldonado] and he kind of gave us the look. So we went out. … He felt some discomfort and as a pitcher, when you feel that discomfort, you’re always a little scared, a little afraid.”
Brandon Bielak relieved Urquidy and held the Angels to one run and two hits in 3 1/3 innings.
The Astros already have two starting pitchers on the injured list. Left-hander Framber Valdez, who was their best pitcher last year, broke his left ring finger in his first start of the spring and has been out since. He’s expected to begin a Minor League rehab assignment later this month.
A week after losing Valdez, the Astros signed free agent Jake Odorizzi to a two-year deal. He left his third start of the season April 24 with a right pronator muscle strain and on Wednesday threw 35 pitches in live batting practice at Minute Maid Park. He’s expected to begin a Minor League rehab assignment Monday for Triple-A Sugar Land.