Vernal Native Makes MLB Debut Out Of Houston Astros Bullpen
Sep 13, 2025, 1:30 PM | Updated: 1:35 pm
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 04: Jayden Murray #70 of the Houston Astros looks on during his MLB debut in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Daikin Park on September 04, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Tech Trailblazer Jayden Murray has had a whirlwind ten days since making his long-awaited MLB debut for the Houston Astros on September 4.
That spotless 1.1 inning appearance against the New York Yankees helped Murray become a valuable member of an Astros team in the middle of an American League West playoff chase with the Seattle Mariners.
Jayden Murray with a strong performance tonight:
3 IP | 1 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 1 K#Astros #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/d2IYpOiuBi
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) September 13, 2025
The Vernal, Utah, native entered with Houston down four and on a runner on in the top of the eighth.
After completing his warmup, Murray toed the rubber and set his gaze on seven-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP Aaron Judge.
The righthander didn’t flinch. He delivered back-to-back called strikes before retiring Judge on a lineout to left, ending the inning.
Murray came back to induce Cody Bellinger and Jasson Domínguez into flyouts for the first two outs of the ninth.
The 28-year-old finished the outing when José Caballero chased a 96 MPH fastball above the zone for the first strikeout of his MLB career.
Following a clean inning against the Texas Rangers two days later, Murray made his first big league start on Friday, September 12, against the Atlanta Braves.
He threw three innings of one-hit baseball in an 11-3 Houston win.
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Jayden Murray | Pitcher
MLB – Houston Astros
Murray threw 148 innings for Utah Tech in 2018 and 2019, ending his college career with a 13-8 record and a 4.38 ERA. He was 10-3 in 2019 with a 3.78 ERA.
The Tampa Bay Rays selected Murray in the 23rd round of the 2019 MLB draft. He was dealt to Houston in 2022 as part of a trade that brought Jose Siri to the Rays.
Murray reached Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023 with the Astros organization before a series of injury setbacks cost him most of the 2024 season.
He made 50 appearances for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys out of the bullpen this season. Murray had a 4.64 ERA in 64 innings, tallying seven holds and three saves in four chances. He struck out 66 batters against 30 walks, and had a 1.33 WHIP.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
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