DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have declined club options on right-handed pitchers José Urquidy and Paul Sewald.
Sewald would have earned $10 million in 2026; instead, he’ll receive a $1 million buyout and become a free agent. Urquidy was due $4 million, with no buyout in his deal.
Urquidy was due $4 million in 2025; there is no buyout in his deal.
The Tigers could make additional moves before the day is out, but they will already be under the 40-man roster limit once all injured players are reinstated from the 60-day injured list.
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (39)
Left-handed pitchers (6): Sean Guenther, Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Tarik Skubal, Drew Sommers.
Right-handed pitchers (17): Beau Brieske, Jack Flaherty, Jason Foley, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Jackson Jobe, Alex Lange, Chase Lee, Ty Madden, Tyler Mattison, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Tanner Rainey, Dylan Smith, Will Vest.
Catchers (2): Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers.
Infielders (7): Javier Báez, Jace Jung, Andy Ibáñez, Colt Keith, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson.
Outfielders (7): Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.
Both Urquidy and Sewald had only cameo roles in the Tigers’ 2025 season.
Urquidy, 30, signed with the Tigers during spring training as he continued his rehab from Tommy John elbow surgery.
The Mazatlán, Mexico, native debuted with the Houston Astros in 2019 under then-manager Hinch, making 14 appearances (12 starts) over his first two seasons. He broke out in 2021, going 8-3 with a 3.62 ERA in 20 starts and becoming the first Mexican-born pitcher to win multiple World Series games. In 2022, he set career highs with 13 wins and 164 1/3 innings, helping Houston to another championship.
Urquidy struggled in 2023 and then missed the entire 2024 season with a forearm injury that ultimately required surgery. After the season, he was removed from Houston’s roster and elected free agency.
After a lengthy rehab outing, Urquidy joined the active roster in mid-September but pitched in only two games out of the bullpen before being returned to Triple-A Toledo.
Sewald, 35, appeared in four games for the Tigers in September and, like Urquidy, was not part of the postseason roster.
Sewald, 35, signed a one-year, $7 million deal with Cleveland in January but has spent much of the season sidelined. After suffering a shoulder strain early in the year, he returned to pitch in 18 games for the Guardians before sustaining a new strain in July. The Tigers acquired him at the trade deadline anticipating a September return.
In parts of nine big-league seasons with the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamondbacks, Sewald has posted an above-average strikeout rate (28.8 percent) despite not throwing especially hard. He generally relies on two pitches: a 90–92 mph fastball and a sweeping slider. He served as a closer as recently as last season and recorded a career-high 34 saves with two teams in 2023.
This story will be updated.
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