What Do Minnesota Twins Have in Minor-League Signee José Ureña?

There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen. And no, I am not referring to the results of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Instead, I am discussing the flurry of minor-league starting pitching transactions that Twins' decision-makers have made over the past week. On Monday, Minnesota claimed right-handed starting pitcher Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Miami Marlins, before optioning him to Triple-A St. Paul. One day later, the club signed journeyman pitcher José Ureña to a minor-league contract, similarly assigning him to Triple-A.

Ureña, 33, began his 2025 campaign as a member of the New York Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse. He would eventually appear in one game for New York, before bouncing between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers and subsequently joining Minnesota earlier this week. Between New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles (all teams on playoff trajectories, mind you), Ureña generated a 5.40 ERA, 6.35 FIP, and 10-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 18 1/3 innings pitched. Despite starting and opening a game for Toronto in early May, the hard-tossing righty has primarily functioned as a low-leverage reliever this season, pitching in one-to-two-inning spurts.

For those who have followed baseball closely over the past decade, Ureña has become a household name (of sorts), pitching for a total of nine organizations over his 10-season career. The now 33-year-old is most well-known for his early career success in Miami, particularly his 2017 campaign, wherein he generated 1.7 Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR) over 169 2/3 innings pitched. Ureña still possesses a plus slider and high-velocity fastball. Unfortunately, however, his career has since spiraled, with him generating just 1.5 fWAR in the seven seasons since.

Similar to Gillispie, Ureña gracing the mound in Twins attire would be an unfortunate outcome. Yet, given the rotation's recent trend of early-inning implosions, there is reason to believe team decision-makers could soon purchase the veteran's contract to function as a long reliever, similar to what the Dodgers did earlier this month. Given that Gillispie and fellow long-relief candidate Travis Adams already possess 40-man roster spots, Ureña is seemingly behind them on the organizational depth chart. With players like Ryan Fitzgerald, Joey Wentz, and Gillispie taking up spots on the 40-man right now, though, the club could make room for Ureña fairly easily.

Again, Minnesota's starting pitching depth has become razor-thin. That said, the organization still possesses ample bullpen depth. Similar to Adams and Gillispie, Ureña exists between the two, in that he can operate as a starting pitcher, long reliever, or short reliever. Despite enduring one of the worst pitching months in franchise history and losing 10 of their last 12 games, Minnesota remains just 3 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot and maintains a 23.9% chance of making the playoffs. The club will need arms to eat innings until Pablo López and Zebby Matthews return from their respective injuries later this season. Adams, Gillispie, and Ureña won't save Minnesota's season. Yet, they could play a vital role in sponging up work while the starting rotation attempts to return to its early-season form.