Castillo signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Saturday.
After being released by the Rangers on Thursday, Castillo was able to quickly find another gig in the bullpen at Triple-A St. Paul. The 30-year-old righty held a 3.12 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through his first five MLB seasons, but he allowed six earned run across 8.2 frames with the Mariners in 2023 and continued to struggle during spring training with the Rangers. Castillo will need to regain command over his pitches in the minors before he has a shot at returning to the big leagues.
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Rangers' Diego Castillo: Signs on with Rangers
Rotowire
Castillo signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Dec. 18.
Castillo had a rough 2023 campaign, collecting a 6.23 ERA in eight appearances for the Mariners and a 5.13 ERA and 50:35 K:BB across 47.1 frames at Triple-A Tacoma. Both his velocity and control have trended in the wrong direction in recent seasons. Still, Castillo will turn just 30 next month, and a pitcher with his track record seems worthy of a roll of the dice on a minor-league deal.
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Mariners' Diego Castillo: Strong numbers in minors
Rotowire
Castillo has pitched to a 2-0 record and 1.04 ERA across 8.2 innings over eight appearances for Triple-A Tacoma since being outrighted to the Rainiers on May 1.
The veteran right-hander is still experiencing plenty of trouble with control, however, as he's also issued nine walks. Nevertheless, Castillo has managed to consistently work around his location issues and has given up only one earned run during his time in Tacoma. Although he's currently off the 40-man roster, it certainly wouldn't be inconceivable for Castillo to earn a call back to the big-league club at some point before the conclusion of the regular season.
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Mariners' Diego Castillo: Moved off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Mariners outrighted Castillo to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday after he cleared waivers.
After he had been one of Seattle's top relievers since he was acquired from the Rays at the 2021 trade deadline, Castillo struggled mightily over the first month of the 2023 campaign, logging a 6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 7:7 K:BB in 8.2 innings before he was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday. Because Castillo is due $2.95 million in 2023 and has one more year of arbitration remaining, none of MLB's other 29 organizations were willing to put in a waiver claim for the 29-year-old right-hander. Though he no longer possesses a spot on the 40-man roster, Castillo could end up getting another look with the big club this season if he's able to right the ship at Tacoma.
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Mariners' Diego Castillo: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Castillo was optioned Saturday to Triple-A Tacoma.
Castillo has a lengthy track record of being an effective major-league reliever, but he'll spend some time on the farm after allowing six earned runs on seven hits and seven walks through his first 8.2 innings this season out of the Mariners' bullpen. Easton McGee is up in a corresponding move to start Saturday's game in Toronto.
Mariners' Diego Castillo: Sharp through three appearances
Rotowire
Castillo has allowed an earned run on three hits and generated a 3:0 K:BB over three innings in three Cactus League appearances.
All of Castillo's 20 pitches thus far this spring have found the strike zone, underscoring how sharp the veteran right-hander has been. Castillo proved a versatile asset for both manager Scott Servais and fantasy managers during his first full season in Seattle in 2022, recording seven wins, seven saves and nine holds across 59 appearances while producing a 3.64 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
Castillo lost his arbitration case against the Mariners on Wednesday and will earn $2.95 million for the 2023 season, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reports.
Castillo had filed for a $3.225 million salary when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this winter. The 29-year-old reliever is projected to handle a setup role while occasionally factoring into save chances in 2023 after pitching to a 3.64 ERA and 53:22 K:BB across 54.1 innings with Seattle in 2022.
Mariners' Diego Castillo: Takes third loss Wednesday
Rotowire
Castillo (7-3) was charged with the loss against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one inning while recording a strikeout.
Castillo was sharp and efficient while throwing 10 of 15 pitches for strikes, but the RBI groundout he surrendered to Gavin Sheets in the eighth inning snapped a 6-6 tie and gave the White Sox a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The veteran right-hander has now uncharacteristically allowed a run in three straight appearances, but he still sports a solid 3.50 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in addition to his seven victories, seven holds and six saves.
Mariners' Diego Castillo: Grabs fifth hold in return
Rotowire
Castillo, activated from the injured list earlier in the day, recorded his fifth hold in a win over the Yankees on Wednesday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.
Castillo was sharp in his return, firing eight of his 13 pitches for strikes to serve as an effective bridge to Paul Sewald in the ninth inning. The veteran right-hander, who was seeing his first game action since July 25, now boasts a 4-0 record, 1.32 ERA, two saves and four holds over the 13.2 innings covering his last 14 appearances.
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Mariners' Diego Castillo: Makes return from IL
Rotowire
The Mariners reinstated Castillo (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino was sent to Triple-A Tacoma to clear a spot in the bullpen and on the 26-man active roster for Castillo, who had been on the shelf since July 28 with right shoulder inflammation. Castillo had a rocky rehab appearance with High-A Everett on Sunday -- he was charged with five runs (four earned) on three hits and a walk while recording only two outs -- so the Mariners could ease him back into the mix as a low-leverage reliever. Assuming Castillo quickly displays a return to form, he should re-enter the Mariners' late-inning picture and potentially factor into save situations, just as he did prior to landing on the IL.
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Mariners' Diego Castillo: Heading out on rehab assignment
Rotowire
Castillo (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment in coming days with High-A Everett, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Castillo has been on the shelf since July 28, with his stint retroactive to two days prior. The right-hander reliever will likely only need a couple of rehab appearances before being deemed ready for activation, and he'd be eligible to return as soon as Wednesday.
Castillo was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation Thursday, retroactive to July 26.
Castillo wasn't particularly sharp Monday against the Rangers, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning, and it's possible the injury contributed to his struggles. The 28-year-old missed a week and a half last year due to shoulder inflammation, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return following a minimal IL stint this time around. Castillo's seven wins this year rank second among all relievers, while he's converted all six of his save chances with four holds. Paul Sewald should see the majority of the closing duties with Castillo sidelined, while Andres Munoz and Matt Festa could also take on additional high-leverage work.
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Mariners' Diego Castillo: Likely to return after 15 days
Rotowire
Manager Scott Servais said Thursday that he expects Castillo (shoulder) to return after missing the minimum of 15 days, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.
Castillo landed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation Thursday, but the issue doesn't seem to be a significant concern. Servais said the right-hander would likely be able to return after 5-6 days, but the Mariners elected to place him on the IL to avoid a shorthanded bullpen. Andres Munoz and Matt Festa will likely see increased high-leverage chances ahead of closer Paul Sewald while Castillo is sidelined.
