The Twins introduced Wednesday that they’ve designated infielder Diego Castillo for task and optioned right-hander Ronny Henriquez to Triple-A St. Paul. Their spots on the roster will go to reliever Brock Stewart, who’s been activated from the 60-day injured listing, and righty David Festa, who’s been recalled from St. Paul.
Castillo, 26, appeared in 4 video games with the Twins and went 2-for-6 with a double, two walks and a strikeout in eight plate appearances. He’s had a pleasant season within the minors as properly, hitting a mixed .274/.382/.403 in 296 plate appearances between the Triple-A associates for Baltimore and Minnesota. That marks the continuation of a long term of OBP-driven manufacturing within the higher minors. Castillo has performed in components of 4 Triple-A seasons, and whereas he doesn’t hit for a ton of energy, he’s a .290/.402/.406 hitter in 1073 Triple-A plate appearances. He’s primarily been a shortstop (3906 innings) but additionally has 1922 innings at second base, 619 innings at third base, 535 innings in left area, 224 innings in proper area and 66 innings at first base.
Regardless of that versatility and a robust Triple-A monitor report, Castillo hasn’t gotten a lot huge league taking part in time. He made his debut with the 2022 Pirates and logged a career-high 283 plate appearances. Nonetheless, he hit simply .206/.251/.382. The D-backs gave him one huge league plate look in 2023, and the Twins have given him all of eight.
It’s actually debatable that Castillo deserves an extended look someplace, however a Twins group that’s deeper within the infield than wherever else on the diamond was most likely by no means going to have that chance. Even with every of Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Jose Miranda, Kyle Farmer and Alex Kirilloff on the injured listing, Minnesota has Carlos Santana at first base, Edouard Julien at second base, All-Star Willi Castro at shortstop and prime prospect Brooks Lee at third base. A number of of the injured Twins will likely be again prior to later, too. Lewis started a rehab task in Triple-A final night time. Miranda will comply with swimsuit immediately.
Minnesota will both commerce Castillo or place him on outright waivers throughout the subsequent 5 days. Waivers themselves may very well be one other 48-hour course of. Castillo will know the end result of his DFA throughout the subsequent week.
As for Stewart, his return will likely be a big boon for the Twins’ bullpen. The previous Dodgers prospect has confirmed to be an distinctive discover on a minor league pact. He’s missed time with damage in every of the previous two seasons, however Stewart has added appreciable velocity since his rotation days within the Dodgers’ system and has been a bullpen behemoth in Minnesota when wholesome. He’s pitched 41 innings courting again to 2023 and carries a exceptional 0.66 ERA with an enormous 34.8% strikeout price towards a ten.6% stroll price.
Stewart will slide proper right into a late-inning, high-leverage combine additionally together with Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Jorge Alcala. Righty Justin Topa additionally additionally went out on a rehab task yesterday, offering one other potential enhance within the close to future. He’s been out all season with a knee damage however posted a 2.61 ERA, 21.9% strikeout price, 6.5% stroll price and 56.7% ground-ball price in 69 innings for the Mariners final season. The Twins added Topa within the offseason commerce that ship Jorge Polanco to Seattle.
