Veteran collector Welington Castle He has chosen to exit the 2020 season, Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters on Friday (Twitter link via Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post). Castillo signed a minor league contract with the Nationals in January and was originally announced as part of the team’s 60-player pool. However, it appears that he will choose not to play during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Castillo probably would not have opened the year in the major leagues, except for an injury to Yan Gomes or Kurt SuzukiBut as a 10-year major league veteran, it was quite likely that the first line of defense should Gomes or Suzuki need to waste time. With Castillo resigning from the season, he will not be paid and will not accumulate service time. Collectors Raudy Read, Three Barrier and Jakson Reetz they are still in the Nationals’ 60-man group.
Castillo, 33, closed a two-year contract with the White Sox last year. Chicago signed him with a total of $ 15.5MM in two years, and although he hit reasonably well in limited action in 2018 (.259 / .304 / .406), his 2019 season was the worst of his career at the plate. In 251 plate appearances, Castillo collected only a .209 / .267 / .417 cut.
Castillo becomes the third member of the Nationals organization to sit in the 2020 season, joining first baseman. Ryan Zimmerman and right-handed Joe Ross. He will be a free agent at the end of the season and will likely return to the open market for another minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. In 2701 career plate appearances, Castillo is a .254 / .313 / .426 hitter with 98 home runs.
