The Orioles have announced that infielder Diego Castillo has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Despite going unclaimed, he remains within the organization and is likely to receive a non-roster invitation to the big league Spring Training.
This marks the end of what has likely been a turbulent few weeks for Castillo. Since being designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks just before Christmas, he has been placed on waivers four times. Castillo had brief stints with the Mets, Yankees, and Phillies before landing with the Orioles. The Orioles designated him for assignment on Sunday when they acquired lefty reliever Matt Krook.
Fortunately for Baltimore, Castillo passed through waivers without being claimed, allowing them to retain him in a non-roster capacity.
Castillo has garnered interest from several teams as a depth option, showcasing strong contact skills in the minors. Over parts of three Triple-A seasons, he boasts a .296/.410/.407 batting line, including an impressive .313/.431/.410 slash line for Arizona’s top affiliate last year.
However, Castillo’s success in the minors has not fully translated to the MLB level. In his rookie season with the Pirates, he posted a modest .206/.251/.382 batting line in 96 games.
Last year, he only appeared once at the major league level for Arizona. As the 2024 season approaches, Castillo is expected to start in Norfolk, given the Orioles’ deep pool of infield talent on the 40-man roster.
