Washington Nationals catcher Welington Castillo has decided to retire from the MLB on Sunday. The 34-year-old spent 10 years in the league, but was most recently part of the Nationals squad. He played 11 games in the minors for the Nats in 2021 before calling it a career. He'll finish his MLB career with a .254/.313/.426 slash line and 98 homers and 339 RBI in 726 games. Castillo played with five different teams during his playing career, but most notably with the Chicago Cubs. It wasn't a Hall of Fame career, but Castillo was certainly a serviceable catcher during his playing days.
The Washington Nationals added catching depth on Monday by signing catcher Welington Castillo to a minor league deal, according to a source. Castillo will make $950,000 if he is with the major league team in 2021. The 33-year-old was with the team in spring training in 2020 but decided not to play in early July due to COVID-19. Washington is expected to have Yan Gomes start the majority of games next season, but Castillo could become his platoon partner if he makes the active roster out of spring training. Castillo has played 726 games over 10 seasons with the Cubs, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Orioles and White Sox. He hit .209/.267/.417 with 12 long balls in 72 games for Chicago in 2019 and has a career .991 fielding percentage. With Castillo only playing a handful of games per week, if that, he won't be very appealing for fantasy managers outside of the deepest two-catcher leagues.
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that catcher Welington Castillo has opted out of playing in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Castillo will join teammates Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross in opting out this year. The 33-year-old was on a minor league deal that he signed in January and was unlikely to make much, if any, fantasy impact as the third catcher on the depth chart behind Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki. Castillo hit a disappointing .209/.267/.417 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 72 games in his second season and final season with the White Sox in 2019.
Washington Nationals catcher Welington Castillo (shoulder) threw to the bases on Sunday and should return to Grapefruit League action on Tuesday. Castillo should be just fine for Opening Day as long as he doesn't have any setbacks. The 32-year-old (33 in April) Dominican slumped to a .209/.267/.417 slash line with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 230 at-bats for the White Sox last year. He's also third on the catching depth chart in D.C. behind Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki, so Castillo won't even have much fantasy appeal in two-catcher leagues to begin the season.
The Washington Nationals agreed to a minor league deal with catcher Welington Castillo on Friday. Castillo will receive a non-roster invite to spring training. The 32-year-old (33 in April) hit a disappointing .209/.267/.417 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in just 72 games for the White Sox in 2019. There won't be much fantasy value to be had here in D.C., however, as he's third on the catching depth chart behind Kurt Suzuki and Yan Gomes. Castillo can be avoided unless you're in a deep NL-only league in which you start two backstops.
The Texas Rangers acquired catcher Welington Castillo and international slot compensation from the White Sox on Thursday in exchange for minor league infielder/outfielder Jonah McReynolds. Castillo had a tough year with the Pale Hose, hitting .209/.267/.417 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 230 at-bats as the backup in Chicago. His best year came in 2017 with the Orioles when he hit .282 and slugged a career-high 20 home runs, but that's likely his high-water mark in the big leagues. Texas isn't guaranteed to keep Castillo around in 2020.
Welington Castillo Has Big Day at the Plate Thursday
Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo led the way in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Cleveland Indians, as he finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. This was a breakout game for Castillo, who had struggled over his last 10 games with a .176 average that dropped his season average to .199. Owners should monitor his next few starts closely, but this could be a sign of good things to come and he could end up being a decent value in daily leagues going forward.
The Chicago White Sox activated catcher Welington Castillo (oblique) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned catcher Zack Collins to Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. The 32-year-old Castillo has been out since June 18 and was hitting just .196 (21-for-107) with five home runs and 15 RBI in 34 games before his injury. With All-Star James McCann the primary backstop for the Pale Hose, Castillo can pretty much be ignored in all fantasy leagues.
Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo (oblique) has moved his minor league rehab assignment to Triple-A. Castillo had just one hit during his seven at-bats in Double-A. He's been out since June 17 due to a strained oblique. James McCann has been outstanding at the plate this season, so Castillo will serve as the backup once he's healthy enough to return.
The Chicago White Sox have placed catcher Welington Castillo on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique. Castillo isnt expected to be back when first eligible. The White Sox have promoted catching prospect Zack Collins to replace Castillo.
