Willi

Castro

Castro scalded the ball today, posting EVs of 111.6 mph, 101.7 mph and 101.1 mph. He was a big disappointment after getting traded to the Cubs last summer, but he has a chance to amass some mixed-league value in what should be an everyday role in Colorado. It just could come down to how many bases he steals; he swiped 33 bags in 2023, but he’s come in at 14 and 10 the last two years.

Castro started at second base in this one and appears poised to occupy a versatile multi-position role for the Rockies this season, which gives him some fantasy appeal in deeper formats. The 28-year-old posted 11 homers and 10 steals in 120 games split between the Twins and Cubs last season. It’s likely he’ll receive a boost in the batting department based on hitter-friendly Coors Field’s historical tendencies, which makes him a potential .250 hitter with double-digit homers.

Castro is getting $6.4 million per season, which matches his 2025 salary in his final year of arbitration. If the Rockies treat him like a regular — and they don’t seem to the type to pay $6.4 million for a backup — then he’ll probably offer some value in deeper leagues. It will hinge on how much he runs; he’s totaled 24 steals the last two years after finishing with 33 in 2023 alone. But his average is due for a nice bump in Coors, and he’ll probably prove to be one of the team’s best options at the top of the lineup, as sad as that might be.

He’ll get $12.8 million, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. Castro seemed in line for a one-year pact after cratering with the Cubs following a deadline deal, but the Rockies needed to commit a little extra, even for a position player who will be lucky to take advantage of Coors Field. The switch-hitting Castro figures to be an everyday player for Colorado, though he could continue to be deployed all over the place. He’s hit .244/.328/.386 with 32 homers and 57 steals in 1,498 plate appearances over the last three seasons. Unfortunately, though, 33 of those steals came in 2023, and he’s gone just 24-for-37 since. Still, with Coors backing him and maybe more steal attempts on a bad team, he could be a factor in mixed leagues.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 31-year-old slugger. Suzuki has been in a funk at the plate lately, slashing just .216/.355/.257 with zero homers, five RBI and a 20/16 K/BB ratio over 93 plate appearances in his last 21 ballgames. Perhaps a day off to clear his head will do some good. Willi Castro will start in his place in right field and will bat eighth for the Cubs against Zack Littell and the Reds on Saturday evening in Cincinnati.

Suzuki has been out of action for nearly one week at this juncture as he deals with an undisclosed illness. Cubs manager Craig Counsell revealed that he traveled with the club to Pittsburgh, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It’ll be rookie slugger Moisés Ballesteros continuing to occupy the DH spot with versatile utility specialist Willi Castro patrolling right field in his absence. Hopefully there will be some clarity on his status at some point soon.

Suzuki has been out of action for nearly a week at this juncture due to an unspecified illness. It’ll be rookie slugger Moisés Ballesteros continuing to occupy the DH spot with versatile utility specialist Willi Castro patrolling right field. The fact he hasn’t been sent to the injured list offers some hope that he’ll be ready to return at some point this week.

Caissie remains in concussion protocol and will undergo further evaluation after experiencing symptoms following a collision with the right-field wall during Saturday’s game against the Rays. The timing is unfortunate for the 23-year-old top prospect since he figured to have an everyday opportunity in right field for at least the next couple days until Kyle Tucker (calf) is ready to return from the injured list. It’ll be Willi Castro taking over in right field in the meantime.

Willi Castro takes over at the hot corner in his absence.

Suzuki’s absence enables Chicago to give Kyle Tucker a break from right field at DH on Tuesday night with newly acquired utility specialist Willi Castro starting at his fourth different position in as many games since making his Cubs debut.