Castillo has been named the Mariners' Opening Day starter, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Robbie Ray was another good candidate, but Castillo gets the nod. The right-hander will take the ball March 30 at home against the Guardians and Shane Bieber.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Serviceable thus far in spring
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Castillo has allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, two walks and a hit batsman while recording six strikeouts across 4.1 innings during his first two Cactus League starts.
Castillo, who opted to forgo pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic to instead go through his first full spring training with the Mariners, is getting a decent amount of work in thus far. The right-hander worked up to only 22 pitches in his most recent start Monday against the Cubs, however, so he's likely to see a notable bump in pitch count in his next start.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Won't pitch in WBC
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Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto told reporters Wednesday that Castillo won't pitch in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
"It's a choice that we made together," Dipoto told reporters. The Mariners want Castillo to have a full spring training in his first full season with the club, and Castillo agreed. The right-hander was excellent in his time with Seattle after being traded from the Reds shortly before last season's deadline, producing a 3.17 ERA, 77:17 K:BB and 1.10 WHIP over 65.1 innings across 11 starts. He'll open the year as the ace of Seattle's pitching staff, with the combination of last season's body of work and that of his previous campaigns suggesting he'll be a top-end fantasy asset again in 2023.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Starting Game 1 in Toronto
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Castillo will start Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Castillo finished the regular season Saturday by giving up one run over six innings against the A's, and he'll take the mound in the postseason opener for Seattle. The 29-year-old righty was acquired from the Reds at the trade deadline and delivered a 3.17 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 77:17 K:BB across 65.1 frames in 11 starts with the Mariners.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Allows one run in win
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Castillo (4-2) earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk over six innings against the Athletics. He struck out eight.
Castillo allowed an RBI single from Jordan Diaz to open the scoring in the first inning but was otherwise without blemishes. The righty has been inconsistent over his last 10 starts, allowing four runs or more three times and one run or fewer five times. The 29-year-old's 2.99 ERA during 2022 is the best of his six-year career.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Gives up five runs Sunday
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Castillo allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings during Sunday's loss to the Royals. He didn't factor into the decision.
Castillo gave up just two runs over the first five innings of Sunday's matchup and appeared to be in good shape to pick up a win since the Mariners' offense put up eight runs in the top of the fifth inning. However, he allowed five innings in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the Royals' offense ultimately combined for 11 runs during the frame. The right-hander has been inconsistent since the start of September, posting a 3.90 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 27.2 innings over five starts. He projects to make his next start at home against the Athletics on Saturday.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Signs five-year extension
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Castillo and the Mariners agreed to terms on a five-year, $108 million extension Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Castillo was due to become a free agent after the 2023 season, but he'll now be under contract through 2027, and potentially 2028 thanks to a vesting option. The deal is excellent news for Castillo's long-term fantasy value, as it means he's now set to remain in one of the best pitchers' parks in the league for the foreseeable future. He's certainly enjoyed his time in Seattle thus far, posting a 2.83 ERA and a 29.1 percent strikeout rate in his first nine starts as a Mariner.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Can't escape fifth inning
Rotowire
Castillo (7-6) took the loss during Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Athletics, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
Castillo cruised through the first four frames before surrendering five consecutive two-out baserunners and all four runs in the fifth, prompting his removal. The 29-year-old fired 54 of 85 pitches for strikes with 13 of the swinging variety, though the four strikeouts match his lowest total in a start since June 15. Castillo has alternated stellar and subpar performances through four September turns, with the result being a 2.82 ERA across 22.1 innings. He's tentatively slated to pitch again Sunday in Kansas City.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Blanks Padres over six frames
Rotowire
Castillo (7-5) earned the win after he pitched six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while hitting a batter and striking out nine against the Padres on Wednesday.
Castillo was in full command Wednesday, limiting the Padres to six total baserunners while punching out at least nine batters for the third time in six starts. The right-hander has now produced six quality starts over eight outings since joining the Mariners at the trade deadline, furnishing a 2.37 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 60 punchouts over 49.1 innings in his time with the club thus far.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Turns in scoreless outing
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Castillo (6-5) allowed five hits and a walk over six scoreless frames Friday, striking out four and earning a win over Cleveland.
Castillo only allowed one Guardian to get into scoring position during the dominant outing. He's now 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA and a 43:9 K:BB through six starts since joining the Mariners. On the year, the 29-year-old is sporting a 2.71 ERA across 122.2 frames. Castillo is projected to face the White Sox at home next week.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Strikes out 10 in no-decision
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Castillo didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 4-3 loss to Cleveland, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts in six innings.
Coming off his worst start of the season by game score, Castillo limited the damage to a Jose Ramirez solo shot in the fourth inning in racking up his third double-digit strikeout total. The 29-year-old tossed 85 of 115 pitches for strikes with a staggering 21 of the swinging variety and was in line for the win until Andres Munoz permitted three runs in the top of the eighth. Castillo owns a 2.85 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 129 strikeouts across 116.2 innings, and he's scheduled for a rematch with the Guardians in Cleveland next weekend.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Hit hard Sunday
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Castillo (1-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings in a 5-3 loss against Oakland. He struck out five.
Oakland got to Castillo early as he surrendered runs in the first and second innings. The veteran never really found his groove as he allowed at least one hit in each inning and allowed a fourth run to score in the fifth. This was just the second start all season in which Castillo has allowed more than three runs to score. He will carry a 2.93 ERA into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be this weekend against the Guardians.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Fans nine in no-decision
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Castillo pitched six innings against the Angels on Monday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. He did not factor in the decision.
Castillo and opposing starter Shohei Ohtani dueled to a dead heat over six frames, with both pitchers allowing two runs and Castillo finishing with one more strikeout than Ohtani. The bullpens ended up being the difference in the contest, as Seattle produced four runs to the Angels' zero over the final three innings. Castillo finished with his second straight no-decision but was nonetheless impressive, racking up 16 swinging strikes. The nine punchouts were his most in four games as a Mariner, and he's given up only eight runs across 27.2 frames since moving to the American League.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Twirls eight shutout frames
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Castillo didn't factor into the decision during Tuesday's 1-0 win against the Yankees, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven in eight scoreless innings.
Castillo has opposed Gerrit Cole and the Yankees in each of his first two starts with Seattle, coming away with a win in his first turn and a season-high 81 game score Tuesday. The 28-year-old induced an impressive 20 swinging strikes on 110 pitches and faced the minimum 18 batters between the second and seventh innings. In his last seven starts, Castillo has pitched to a 1.68 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 48.2 innings and his 2.71 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season would both rank top 20 in baseball if he had enough innings to qualify. He is scheduled to pitch again next week against the Angels.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Notches win in M's debut
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Castillo (5-4) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over 6.2 innings in a 7-3 victory over the Yankees. He struck out eight.
Making his Seattle debut, Castillo held New York mostly in check until fading late and serving up a two-run shot to Kyle Higashioka in the seventh inning. The right-hander fired 66 of 109 pitches for strikes while delivering his sixth straight quality start and ninth in 10 outings since the beginning of June, and Castillo boasts a 2.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 70:23 K:BB through 65 innings over that stretch.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Making team debut Wednesday
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Castillo will start Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.
Castillo was dealt from the Reds to the Mariners on Friday in a blockbuster deal, and he'll face a tough matchup at Yankee Stadium during his first start with his new team. The right-hander recorded a quality start in each of his final five appearances with the Reds, posting a 1.59 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 34 innings during that time.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Shipped to Seattle
Rotowire
Castillo was traded from the Reds to the Mariners on Friday in exchange for four minor leaguers including Noelvi Marte, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Castillo has been one of the game's best pitchers over the past couple months, logging a 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 64.1 innings over his last 10 starts. He gets a massive upgrade in team context, given the change in ballpark, defense and run support. He most recently pitched Thursday, so he could slot into Seattle's rotation early next week in the Bronx. Castillo is under club control through the 2023 season.
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Reds' Luis Castillo: Registers fourth win
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Castillo (4-4) earned the win over Miami on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over seven innings.
Castillo gave up multiple homers for the first time this season, but he nonetheless held the Marlins to three runs to pick up a quality start and a victory. The right-hander racked up 15 swinging strikes and notched exactly eight punchouts for the third consecutive outing. Castillo was excellent in July, posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB over 28 innings covering four starts. That has further driven up his appeal to contending teams, and Castillo is among the most likely starting pitchers to be dealt ahead of next week's trade deadline.
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Reds' Luis Castillo: Final Reds start?
Rotowire
The Reds are going with a six-man rotation out of the All-Star break through the trade deadline, meaning that Castillo's start Wednesday against the Marlins could be his final one with the team, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Castillo is the most prominent starter likely on the pre-deadline trade market, and given the Reds' non-contending status and the fact it's unlikely they will contend in the near future, he is a good bet to get dealt sometime in the next week. The team will go back to a five-man rotation following the deadline.
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Reds' Luis Castillo: Throws seven strong innings
Rotowire
Castillo gave up one earned run on six hits and a walk while striking out six over seven innings in a 4-3 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.
Castillo continued his solid 2022 campaign with another consistent performance that saw him throw more than 100 pitches for the sixth straight game. The workhorse didn't get the win as he was matched up against Charlie Morton, who dealt seven scoreless innings, but he did enough to keep his team in the game, and the Reds won on a walk-off single in the ninth. Castillo now has a 66:22 K:BB over 64 innings this season. Castillo is expected to make his next start Friday against Tampa Bay.
