Arizona Diamondbacks sign LHP Jose Castillo to a minor league deal

On Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed 27-year-old left-handed pitcher Jose Castillo to a minor league deal, per Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors.

Since 2019, Castillo has pitched in only three games in the major leagues. He has spent his entire four-year career with the San Diego Padres.

This past season, in his one appearance, Castillo allowed four earned runs on two hits and two walks. He was removed from the ballgame after getting just one out.

Castillo has also spent nine seasons in the minor leagues, four in triple-A, two in double-A, and three in high-A.

Throughout these nine seasons spanning back to 2013, Castillo has recorded a 22-16 record, a 3.74 ERA, and impressively struck out 258 batters in 331 innings.

When Jose first began his journey in the minor leagues, he was just 17 years old, playing rookie ball for the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

Recently, it has been a string of injuries, including a torn hand ligament in 2019, followed by Tommy John surgery in 2021, that have kept him from getting back to a consistent playing groove.

The Diamondbacks will look to build upon the hard-throwing fastball that he brings to the table, as he will likely get a chance to throw this spring training.