The Texas Rangers have added right-hander Diego Castillo to their ranks, signing him to a minor league contract, as reported on Castillo’s player page on MLB.com. While specific details of the deal remain unclear, it is presumed to include an invitation to the big league Spring Training.
Diego Castillo, who will turn 30 next month, made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018. Initially finding success as a reliable middle reliever for the Rays, Castillo showcased a 3.30 ERA and 3.53 FIP in 125 1/3 innings across 108 appearances, including 17 outings as an opener. Notably, he maintained an impressive 28.5% strikeout rate, an 8.6% walk rate, and a solid 51.8% groundball rate during this period.
His standout performance in the first two seasons of his career continued into the shortened 2020 season when Castillo posted a remarkable 1.66 ERA in 21 2/3 innings, boasting an impressive 60.4% groundball rate. This success prompted the Rays to trade him to the Seattle Mariners in the following summer. From 2020 to 2022, Castillo sustained a 2.95 ERA (134 ERA+), marked by a 27.8% strikeout rate and a 49.7% groundball rate, despite a slightly elevated 3.84 FIP.
However, Castillo encountered struggles at the onset of the 2023 season, posting a 6.23 ERA in 8 2/3 innings with the Mariners. Consequently, the team outrighted him off the roster in May. His struggles persisted in the minors throughout the year, leading to a 5.13 ERA in 47 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level. Castillo became a minor league free agent in October, providing the Texas Rangers an opportunity to sign him on a non-roster deal.
Despite his challenging performance in 2023, the addition of Castillo presents an opportunity for the Rangers to bolster their bullpen. If he can rediscover his form and establish himself as a quality set-up arm or middle reliever, Castillo could significantly contribute to improving the Rangers’ bullpen, which faced challenges in the 2023 season. With a career ERA of 3.12 and a solid track record before 2023, Castillo’s potential rebound is an encouraging prospect for the Rangers as they aim to strengthen their relief corps for the upcoming season.
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