The Philadelphia Phillies’ early postseason exit might have been set during the end of the regular season, as a brutal slump in the standings forced the team to expend its best pitching just to secure its berth in the final game of the season.

Without Zack Wheeler available for Game 1, the Phillies ended up losing their Wild Card matchup with the division rival Atlanta Braves and now have some difficult decisions to make about the roster going into next year.

The Phillies have to determine which pieces of their veteran-heavy roster should remain part of the plan and which players will move on, with several key pieces reaching free agency and others becoming potential trade chips.

But before that process could really get underway, the team was informed that a recently acquired veteran piece has opted for free agency rather than accepting a designation for assignment.

Philadelphia Phillies Veteran Makes Career Decision In Midst Of NLWCS

Late-season bullpen addition Jose Urquidy cut ties with the organization on Wednesday, in the midst of the team’s disappointing series with the Braves, according to the official transaction log .

Urquidy, a veteran right-hander and 2022 World Series champion who bested the Phillies in that fall classic as a member of the Houston Astros, was acquired by the Phillies via waivers last month after bouncing around several teams.

“Urquidy bounced around the league this year, getting work in an emergency depth starter/swingman/long reliever kind of role,” Darragh McDonald reported for MLB Trade Rumors . “Between the (Pittsburgh) Pirates, (Chicago) White Sox and Phillies, he logged 36 1/3 innings over 13 appearances, allowing 4.95 earned runs per nine. His 18.3% strikeout rate was below average but his 4.3% walk rate was excellent and his 40% ground ball rate just shy of par.”

The Phillies utilized Urquidy as an experienced option during their dismal final stretch of the regular season, with key arms like Jesus Luzardo sidelined by injury and a bullpen in shambles. Because he was acquired after the September 1 postseason eligibility deadline, however, he could not pitch for the Phillies in the playoffs.

That made his departure easier to understand once Philadelphia finalized its postseason roster, as it gave him a jump on free agency and the chance to assess his career options going forward.

Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Moves On After Playoff Exit

Urquidy’s Phillies tenure ultimately lasted just a handful of innings. He provided some useful depth down the stretch, but the organization had little reason to keep him on the 40-man roster once his postseason ineligibility became a factor.

Urquidy spent the first several seasons of his career establishing himself as a capable starter and swingman before injuries interrupted his trajectory.

Now, his departure signals the first organizational transition at a time when Philadelphia is facing broader questions about its pitching staff and veteran core. The Phillies have several important free agents to consider, while their early playoff exit exposed some of the limitations that could prompt additional changes.

For Urquidy, free agency offers another opportunity to find a team willing to bet on the experience that once made him an important part of Houston’s pitching staff.