The baseball world has watched, waited, and speculated. Now, after a period of absence and immense personal and professional challenges, the time for Mexican pitching sensation Julio Urías to return to Major League Baseball is drawing near. According to informed sources, a quartet of prominent franchises – the New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, and the Baltimore Orioles – are actively vying for the left-hander’s services, indicating a strong belief in his on-field capabilities despite the tumultuous circumstances surrounding his recent past. The significant development is that Urías will be allowed to join with any team that extends an offer to him, marking a critical step in his potential reinstatement and comeback. What’s more, reports confirm that Urías has maintained his physical prowess, showcasing an impressive fastball velocity of 97-98 mph, a significant uptick from the 93-94 mph he registered during his last active season, suggesting a deliberate and successful period of dedicated training.
Julio Urías, a former Cy Young contender and World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was last seen on a major league mound in September 2023. His career, up until that point, was a testament to his immense talent. From a teenage phenom signed by the Dodgers to a crucial piece of their 2020 World Series-winning rotation and a National League ERA leader in 2022, Urías possessed a devastating mix of pitches, pinpoint control, and a competitive fire that made him one of the most effective left-handed starters in the game. His ability to navigate high-pressure situations with poise belied his relatively young age.
However, his promising career was derailed by off-field incidents, specifically his second violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Following an arrest in September 2023, Urías was placed on administrative leave by MLB and subsequently suspended through the 2025 All-Star break. This suspension, unprecedented as the first player to be disciplined twice under the policy, put his MLB future in serious doubt and made him a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, remaining unsigned throughout the entire 2024 campaign. He was officially reinstated from the restricted list on July 17, 2025.
Despite the significant off-field baggage, the interest from four major league clubs underscores the undeniable truth: Julio Urías, at 28 years old (as of August 2025), is still an elite talent. Pitching, particularly left-handed starting pitching of his caliber, remains one of the most valuable commodities in baseball. The reported return of his fastball velocity to 97-98 mph is a game-changer. During his last active season (2023), his average fastball velocity dipped to 93-94 mph. While still effective, that slight decrease was noticeable. A return to the high-90s, the velocity he flashed early in his career and during his peak years, would make his already impressive arsenal even more devastating. This suggests that he has used his time away from the game to focus intensely on his physical conditioning and mechanics, meticulously working to regain and even enhance his velocity. This renewed zip on his fastball would make his signature changeup even more effective, increase the bite on his breaking balls, and fundamentally elevate his overall pitching profile.
Teams are not just buying a pitcher; they are buying a potential ace. Urías’s track record includes:
- A 20-win season (2021): A rare feat in modern baseball, showcasing his ability to consistently go deep into games and secure victories.
- An NL-leading 2.16 ERA (2022): Demonstrating his elite efficiency and ability to limit runs against top-tier offenses.
- World Series experience and success: He was a key reliever and spot starter for the Dodgers during their 2020 championship run, performing under the brightest lights.
- Pinpoint Command: Urías has historically shown excellent control, limiting walks and pounding the strike zone, which is crucial for efficiency and longevity.
- Diverse Arsenal: Beyond his fastball, his changeup is widely considered one of the best in baseball, and he complements it with a curveball and slider, keeping hitters guessing.
The interest from the Mets, Marlins, Astros, and Orioles is illuminating, each team potentially viewing Urías as a crucial piece to their puzzle:
- New York Mets: Under owner Steve Cohen, the Mets have shown a willingness to spend big to win. They have a clear need for established, top-tier starting pitching to complement their existing rotation pieces. Urías, if he returns to form, would immediately slot in as a front-line starter, providing the kind of impact arm they need to compete in the highly competitive NL East. His return to peak velocity would be particularly enticing.
- Miami Marlins: The Marlins consistently struggle with offense but often have strong pitching. Adding Urías, a proven commodity, could provide the veteran leadership and front-line talent that could elevate their rotation and make them a more serious contender in the NL East, especially if they can provide him with an environment conducive to his success both on and off the field.
- Houston Astros: The Astros are a perennial contender but are always looking to reinforce their pitching depth, especially with key arms aging or battling injuries. They have a strong pitching development infrastructure and could potentially integrate Urías into their system, providing him with a stable environment focused on winning. Their ability to manage high-profile players and extract maximum performance makes them an intriguing fit.
- Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles boast an incredibly talented young core and are on the cusp of sustained contention. Adding a veteran, high-impact arm like Urías could be the final piece for their rotation, providing the experience and dominance needed to complement their young stars and make a deep playoff run. Their forward-thinking analytics department would undoubtedly appreciate his advanced metrics and potential for further refinement.
While “Urías will be allowed to join with the team that extends an offer to him” is a significant development, his return is not without complexities. Any team signing him will face:
- Public Scrutiny: Given the nature of his suspension, any team that signs Urías will face intense public and media scrutiny. They will need to be prepared to address questions about their commitment to combating domestic violence and how they plan to support Urías’s personal rehabilitation.
- Fan Reaction: Fan bases may be divided on the decision to bring in a player with his history. Managing this perception will be crucial.
- Financial Investment: Despite the off-field issues, a pitcher of Urías’s talent, especially with renewed velocity, will command a substantial contract. Teams will be balancing the risk with the potential reward.
- Continued Monitoring: Urías has agreed to submit to an evaluation by the Joint Policy Board and comply with any of its recommendations. Any team signing him will need to ensure he adheres to these ongoing requirements.
Ultimately, Julio Urías’s impending return to Major League Baseball is one of the most compelling storylines of the 2025 season. His reported recommitment to his physical health, evidenced by his increased velocity, suggests a determined effort to reclaim his place among the game’s elite. For the Mets, Marlins, Astros, or Orioles, signing Urías represents a calculated risk with the potential for immense reward – acquiring a former ace with Cy Young potential, a World Series ring, and a renewed fire, ready to make his mark once again on the biggest stage. The baseball world watches, not just for his pitching, but for the next chapter in a complex and fascinating career.
