Mets Trade for Lefty Reliever José Castillo from Diamondbacks
The Mets bolstered their bullpen on Thursday night by acquiring left-handed reliever José Castillo from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. To make space on the 40-man roster, right-handed reliever Kevin Herget was designated for assignment.
Castillo, 29, has made 45 career MLB appearances, most of which came during his rookie season with the San Diego Padres in 2018. The 6-foot-6 left-hander posted a solid 3.29 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP, striking out 52 batters over 38.2 innings in his first year. However, injuries have hindered his playing time since then.
In 2019, Castillo started the season on the 60-day injured list due to a left flexor strain. After returning, he injured his left middle finger in his first outing back, cutting his season short. He missed all of 2020 with a left lat strain and a torn ligament in his hand. In 2021, after exiting a simulated game with forearm tightness, he required Tommy John surgery.
We have acquired LHP Jose Castillo from Arizona in exchange for cash considerations.
In a corresponding move, RHP Kevin Herget has been designated for assignment.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 16, 2025
In 2024, Castillo made 21 appearances for the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate and re-signed with the team on a minor league deal over the winter. He was called up to the majors in early May but struggled, allowing eight runs on 10 hits, including three home runs, in 6.1 innings. Arizona designated him for assignment on Monday.
Castillo throws three pitches: a 93 mph sinker, a 93 mph four-seamer, and an 84 mph slider, which is his primary weapon. His slider generated a 40.8% whiff rate and a +7 run value in his rookie season, though it has been less effective in his limited appearances this year.
Since Castillo is out of minor league options, he is expected to stay with the Mets in their major league bullpen. Currently, the only other left-handed reliever on the active roster is Génesis Cabrera, who was called up after Danny Young and A.J. Minter suffered season-ending injuries.
Mookie Betts goes the other way for his 6th homer of the year. pic.twitter.com/gLT8yCO5QE
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2025
The Mets also recently re-signed 36-year-old veteran Brooks Raley, who had been their top lefty reliever before undergoing Tommy John surgery last May. Raley, who posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 10.2 K/9 rate in 74 appearances with the Mets, is not expected to return until late June. In the meantime, the Mets will rely on Castillo and their other left-handed options to help stabilize the bullpen.
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