Texas Rangers’ Jose Ureña throws worst start of season in return to Miami

MIAMI — It was not a triumphant return.

José Ureña, who spent his first 12 professional seasons as a member of the Marlins organization, didn’t make it through the third inning in his worst outing since joining the Rangers rotation. The Marlins signed Ureña as a 16-year-old in 2009. He was part of the major league staff from 2015-20.

Ureña, who pitched for Detroit, Milwaukee and Colorado over the previous three seasons, had never faced his original club and it looked like he was perhaps unnerved. He landed only 27 of his 65 pitches (42%) in the strike zone in 2⅓ innings. After an error by Marcus Semien to start the third, Ureña walked consecutive hitters with one out to load the bases.

Ureña, who had a 6.45 ERA in 44⅔ MLB innings in 2023, had entered the game with a 2.78 ERA in five starts since joining the Rangers rotation on May 7. He had pitched at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs in each of his previous four starts.

This could be Ureña’s last start for a while, too. With Nathan Eovaldi already back and Jon Gray perhaps ready to return when he’s eligible on Friday, the Rangers could have a full rotation again. It would allow the Rangers to slide Ureña back to a key middle relief spot, which has been a weakness for the team.

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