D-backs do not tender contracts to De La Rosa, Castillo, making them free agents
Dec 2, 2016, 5:40 PM | Updated: 9:59 pm
(AP Photos)
The Arizona Diamondbacks did not tender contracts to starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa and catcher Welington Castillo Friday, making them free agents.
The 27-year-old De La Rosa battled injuries last season in his second year with Arizona, starting only 10 games and posting a 4.26 ERA in his 13 total appearances on the season.
De La Rosa was in the scrum for the last few spots in the D-backs’ rotation behind Zack Greinke, Shelby Miller and Patrick Corbin in spring training. De La Rosa and Robbie Ray won the last two jobs, but through injuries to Greinke and De La Rosa and a demotion for Miller, several other pitchers started games for Arizona. That included Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley, two promising prospects pitching their first extended stints in the majors.
De La Rosa was a part of the Dec. 2014 with the Boston Red Sox that sent former D-backs starter Wade Miley to Boston.
Castillo, 29, was a surprise contributor from the Mark Trumbo trade with the Seattle Mariners in 2015. Castillo played in 113 games last season, hitting .264 with 15 home runs and 68 RBI.
Other catchers to make an appearance for the team include Chris Herrmann, Oscar Hernandez and Tuffy Gosewich. Herrmann and Hernandez are still on the 40-man roster while Gosewich is not.
Several were surprised by the move to not tender Castillo.
Man, Castillo seems like a great target in a catcher market that's nearly barren after Wilson Ramos. https://t.co/QJxF6Rorsu
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) December 3, 2016
2 pretty decent players https://t.co/e0r78BCIle
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 3, 2016
I am surprised the #Dbacks non-tendered Welington Castillo. Must be another move coming.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 3, 2016
mildly, $6MM for a decent catcher seems reasonable, maybe there's something else coming https://t.co/ZriZFuTmXH
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) December 3, 2016
The D-backs have reportedly signed a catcher to make up for the loss of Castillo.
dbacks have a deal with jeff mathis. @nickpiecoro is on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 3, 2016
The 33-year-old Mathis played his last four seasons with the Miami Marlins. His career-high for games played in a season is 94 in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels. Last season, Mathis hit .238, and his career average is .197.