In return, the Orioles received minor league pitcher Twine Palmer as part of the deal.
Urias is slashing .248/.300/.388 with eight home runs and 48 RBI this season. The former Gold Glove third baseman is seeing a dip in his hitting stats ever since his hot start to the season, but his defensive prowess is something the Astros will use to the full extent.
The 31-year-old Mexico native and career .259 hitter is under contract for the rest of the year before becoming an unrestricted free agent following the season's end.
Palmer is posting a 2.13 earned run average in 13 games (8 starts) in Single-A ball this year. Opponents are batting .172 against the 20-year-old as he shows great promise for an Orioles organization that is in need of pitching prospects.