Injuries in the starting rotation have the New York Mets scrambling for depth and insurance.
The latest addition came Friday in the form of a minor-league deal with right-hander Jose Urena, who can earn $2 million if he makes the big-league roster. Urena, 33, had a 3.80 ERA with the Texas Rangers last season.
Primarily a reliever last season after serving as a starter with multiple teams, Urena could find a role due to injuries to starters Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Manaea will be sidelined until mid-April at least due to a strained oblique. Montas might not pitch for the Mets until Memorial Day because of a strained right lat.
Urena made 33 total appearances last season and posted a 5-8 record. He appeared in 31 total games the previous two seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also updated the status of infielder Nick Madrigal on Friday. Madrigal recently was moved to the 60-day disabled list after fracturing his left shoulder in a split-squad game on Sunday.
Mendoza said Friday that Madrigal, 27, will require surgery likely to end his season.
The Mets will give 22-year-old speedster Luisangel Acuna additional chances to win a spot this spring with Madrigal out of the picture.
To further account for the Madrigal injury, the Mets acquired infielder Alexander Canario for cash considerations in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.
Madrigal signed with the Mets in January. He has experience at every infield position except first base. But he wasn’t tendered by the Cubs after a decline in production in 2024 with a .221 batting average in 51 games.
