Pirates finalize Opening Day roster with unexpected pitching twist

Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (65) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the third inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesThe Pittsburgh Pirates have finalized their Opening Day roster, and their final bullpen decision raised quite a few eyebrows.

Right-hander Jose Urquidy has made the club and will open the 2026 season in a long relief role, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Colin Beazley. Urquidy, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Pittsburgh this offseason, earned the final spot in the…