MIAMI — José Urquidy said he’s not quite sure what the moment will feel like.

It has been almost two full years since he stepped on the mound in a major-league game. It has been 545 days since he experienced forearm tightness just before the conclusion of spring training 2024. That forearm tightness ended up being the second UCL tear of his career.

Urquidy has traveled a long road back. Lots of rehab and recovery. Two different organizations. Five months spent mostly with trainers in Lakeland, Fla. And now, a chance to help a team when it matters most.

So when the Tigers hand him the ball, likely at some point Sunday, and he returns to the major leagues, what might he feel in his bones? What emotion might pour out of him?

“I don’t know how it’s going to be,” Urquidy said Saturday in Miami. “Maybe I’m gonna cry. But it’s just a mix of emotions on what’s gonna happen.”

Even though Urquidy was still recovering from surgery, the Tigers took a chance this winter when they signed him to a $1 million deal with a $4 million club option for 2026.

There are designs on Urquidy helping next season, but the Tigers always envisioned him contributing this year, too.

Here he is. He arrived in Miami just before game time Friday. He walked into manager A.J. Hinch’s office and thanked him for this opportunity.

“I will enjoy this time and try to help the team to win and be in October,” he said.

Urquidy arrives at a time when the Tigers could use any help they can get. Early news on Tarik Skubal’s left side is positive, though the team is still taking things day to day. With or without Skubal, the Tigers have pitching concerns. Saturday, Charlie Morton delivered another short start, plagued by command issues. The Tigers ended up using five pitchers. They lost in the 11th inning when Troy Johnston hit a walk-off home run off trade deadline addition Rafael Montero.

The Tigers have lost 12 of their past 18 games. Their lead in the American League Central is down to 6 1/2 games, with six games left to play against the second-place Cleveland Guardians. Their advantage in earning a first-round bye was down to 3 1/2 games as of Saturday night.

Sunday will be a bullpen day, intended to help Tigers starters work on extra rest. Keider Montero will start the game. Urquidy figures to play a big role in avoiding a series sweep against the lowly Miami Marlins.

“You’re going to see a calm demeanor,” Hinch said. “You’re going to see an array of different pitches and the true essence of a pitcher.”

José Urquidy has not pitched in the major leagues since 2023. (Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images)

The Tigers have had surprise contributors in the second half, such as Troy Melton. They also recently optioned Sawyer-Gipson Long, who — like Urquidy — is also in his first few months back from Tommy John surgery. Alex Cobb never returned from his hip issues. Injuries and underperformance have left the Tigers thin on pitching.

Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Charlie Morton remain in the rotation. Come playoff time, expect the Tigers to lean heavily on their bullpen. Urquidy, then, could play a big role as a multi-inning reliever, an opener or whatever else the Tigers call upon him to do.

“He’s going to fit in perfectly here as far as being a good teammate and being ready to pitch and take whatever role we have available,” Hinch said.

Of course, this is a large gamble on a right-hander who has not thrown a major-league game in so long. Even in 2023, Urquidy had a 5.29 ERA with the Houston Astros.

At the peak of his powers, Urquidy was a finesse pitcher who relied on command. Command can often be the last thing to fully return after Tommy John surgery. Gipson-Long serves as a cautionary example of how things do not always click soon after returning to play.

Urquidy, though, is as good a hope as any the Tigers have for a pitcher who could bolster their staff. He has been working on learning a tighter slider to supplant his sweeper. He has a long history with Hinch from their time together with the Astros. Urquidy threw five scoreless innings for Hinch as a rookie to help win Game 4 of the 2019 World Series. He has thrown 46 1/3 career innings in the playoffs.

“I have a long history with him, so I have a long memory of when he’s at his best,” Hinch said earlier this month. “I hate to say it’s always pinpoint, but it’s oftentimes pinpoint control, where he can throw whatever pitch he wants. His misses have been a little bit more exaggerated than normal (in rehab outings), but his stuff has played well.”

Less than a month ago, Urquidy’s wife, Estefanía, gave birth to the couple’s second child. Urquidy said his family plans to join him in Detroit by the end of this month.

If all goes well, they could be there into October.

“I can’t wait to see them in the stands watching me play,” Urquidy said.

(Top photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)