Rodolfo

Castro

Castro had agreed to a minor league deal with the Blue Jays, but the team released him on Monday so that he could pursue this opportunity. The 26-year-old hit .235/.324/.421 with 19 homers and 18 stolen bases for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization in 2025.

The 26-year-old Castro had just signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays in November, so this might mean another opportunity came up for him. Castro didn’t play in the majors last season. He’s hit .219/.292/.380 in 627 career plate appearances with the Pirates and Phillies.

Castro has decent pop and will take a walk, but he never has figured out how to hit for average; he’s come in at .219/.292/.380 in 627 major league plate appearances with the Pirates and Phillies and he finished at .235/.324/.421 in Triple-A last season. He’s still just 26, so maybe the Blue Jays can work some magic with him.

Castro represents the lone position player shipped out to minor league camp in the latest batch of Phillies cuts. There are a handful of notable relief options sent packing here with Vespi, McMillion, Zuniga, Cuas and Kuhnel all likely to get chances in Philadelphia as middle relief depth. Aoyagi pitched well in three spring appearances after signing a minor-league contract with the Phillies. He’ll open the year back at Triple-A Lehigh Valley as extra depth.

Castro elected to explore the free agent market after he was sent outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley back in early November but ultimately chose to return to the Phillies. The 25-year-old spent the entire 2024 season in the minor leagues where he slashed .221/.286/.351 with three homers, nine RBI and a 19/6 K/BB ratio over 84 plate appearances.

All five wound up electing free agency and will test the open market rather than accept outright assignments to remain with the Phillies. The most notable name here is Allard, who made seven appearances (four starts) last year for Philadelphia. The trio of Marte, Ortiz and Tarnok figure to be able to latch on elsewhere as extra relief depth. Castro underwent surgery back in August to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Castro suffered the injury back in late August and is recovering from season-ending surgery. The procedural move opens up a spot on Philadelphia’s 40-man roster for the club to claim reliever Jose Cuas off waivers from Toronto.

It’s notable since Castro remains on the Phillies’ 40-man roster, despite the fact he hasn’t appeared in a game this season for the club. He could wind up getting put on the 60-day injured list to free up a roster spot at some point in the coming days.

The former first-round pick by the Braves will be used as a depth piece for the Phillies’ pitching this season. He was limited last season due to a shoulder injury, but made three starts and one relief appearance for Atlanta, amassing a 6.57 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. Allard tossed 5 2/3 innings of spring ball and allowed two earned runs on six hits.

The dynamic 24-year-old has really struggled in his chances at the big league level this season — slashing just .211/.297/.322 with six homers, 24 RBI and one stolen base in 256 plate appearances between the Pirates and Phillies. He’ll continue to work on his game in the minor leagues until he’s needed again.