Few players across Major League Baseball had more turbulent seasons than José Castillo.
It’s tough to adjust to a new team in the middle of a season, but how about three new teams? Castillo pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles this year, all within a four-month span.
Baltimore claimed Castillo, a five-year veteran lefty, off waivers from the Mariners in early September. They were desperate for arms at the time due to injuries, but with many of those injured players returning to the 40-man roster this week, it was hard to find a place to keep Castillo.
Accordingly, the Orioles placed Castillo on waivers, perhaps thinking there was still a chance they could retain him for next season if he cleared. Instead, he was claimed by the Mets on Thursday (per the official MLB transactions log), marking the start of a second stint in New York that is almost guaranteed to last longer than the first.
New York first picked up Castillo on May 15 in a trade with the Diamondbacks, then lost him for good on Sept. 30 when the Mariners claimed him off waivers. So as long as he lasts about halfway into spring training, he’ll have spent longer in a Mets uniform this time around.
The 29-year-old Castillo now owns a 4.11 ERA in 69 major league outings, 29 of which came this season. He struck out 30 batters, but walked 14 and allowed 40 hits in his 32 innings of work in the big leagues this year.
Castillo has no minor-league options available, but he’s not arbitration eligible, so as long as the Mets keep him on the 40-man roster this offseason, he will be ready to compete for a spot in the bullpen come February.
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