| Miguel Castro | |
|---|---|
 Castro pitching for theBaltimore Orioles in 2018 | |
| Chicago White Sox | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1994-12-24)December 24, 1994 (age 30) La Romana, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 6, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 22–28 |
| Earned run average | 4.24 |
| Strikeouts | 414 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Miguel Ángel Castro (born December 24, 1994) is a Dominican professionalbaseballpitcher for theChicago White Sox ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theToronto Blue Jays,Colorado Rockies,Baltimore Orioles,New York Mets,New York Yankees, andArizona Diamondbacks. Castro signed with the Blue Jays as an internationalfree agent in 2012, and made his MLB debut in 2015.
Castro signed with theToronto Blue Jays as an internationalfree agent in 2012, and received a $43,000signing bonus.[1] He made his professional debut in 2012 with theDominican Summer League Blue Jays, and earned a 3–2 record, 4.73earned run average, and 20 strikeouts in 201⁄3 innings.[2] Castro began the 2013 season with the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays, and was later promoted to theGulf Coast League Blue Jays andBluefield Blue Jays.[3] In total, he posted a 6–2 record, 1.54 ERA, and 88 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched.[2] His performance in the DSL earned him the Webster Award, given to the best Blue Jays prospect at each minor league level.[4] In 2014, Castro continued his progression through the minor league system, earning promotions to theVancouver Canadians,Lansing Lugnuts, andDunedin Blue Jays. He earned an 8–3 record, a 2.69 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 801⁄3 innings spread across three minor league levels.[2]
Castro was invited to 2015spring training but was considered to be a long-shot to make the team, and General ManagerAlex Anthopoulos stated before camp began that Castro would likely begin the 2015 season in Dunedin. However, after pitching 62⁄3 scoreless innings over 4 appearances, with 4 strikeouts and no walks, many believed that Castro had earned a spot on the roster.[5][6][7] AfterSteve Delabar was optioned to minor league camp on March 26, it was reported that Castro would likely make theOpening Day roster as a reliever.[8] His role in the bullpen was confirmed on March 31.[9][10]
Castro made his MLB debut on April 6, 2015, against theNew York Yankees. He pitched 11⁄3 innings and closed out the game as the Blue Jays won 6–1. At 20 years, 103 days old, Castro became the youngest pitcher to appear for the Blue Jays, breaking a nearly 38-year-old record held byVíctor Cruz. His record was short-lived, however, as it was broken only two days later by teammateRoberto Osuna.[11] After a poor season debut byBrett Cecil, Castro was temporarily moved to thecloser role on April 9.[12] He earned his first MLB save that night, closing out a 6–3 win over the Yankees. Castro was moved back into a regular relief role in the bullpen on April 28, after recording 4 saves in 6 opportunities.[13] On May 3, Castro was optioned to the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons.[14]
On July 28, 2015, Castro was traded to theColorado Rockies, along withJosé Reyes,Jeff Hoffman, andJesús Tinoco, in exchange forTroy Tulowitzki andLaTroy Hawkins.[15] The Rockies optioned him to the Triple-AAlbuquerque Isotopes. He was called up by the Rockies on September 1 and made his Rockies debut that day. On April 2, 2017, Castro was designated for assignment.[16]
On April 7, 2017, Castro was traded to theBaltimore Orioles for cash considerations or a player to be named later (Jon Keller).[17] He debuted for the Orioles on May 17 against theDetroit Tigers, striking out one batter in one scoreless inning of relief. He pitched two scoreless innings the following day as well. In his first season with Baltimore, he posted an ERA of 3.53 in 39 games.
The following season, he appeared in 63 appearances, posting an ERA of 3.96 in86+1⁄3 innings. He shared the major league lead inbalks, with three.[18] In 2019 for the Orioles, Castro appeared in 65 games, allowing a career-high 10 home runs in73+1⁄3 innings of work, registering a 4.66 ERA.[19]
On August 31, 2020, the Orioles traded Castro to theNew York Mets for pitcherKevin Smith and aplayer to be named later.[20][21] In 2020, Castro pitched in 26 games between the Orioles and Mets, recording a 4.01 ERA with 38 strikeouts in24+2⁄3 innings pitched.[22] In 2021, Castro recorded a career-low 3.45 ERA along with 77 strikeouts and 43 walks in70+1⁄3 innings.
On March 22, 2022, Castro signed a $2.62 million contract with the Mets, avoiding salary arbitration.[23]
On April 3, 2022, the Mets traded Castro to theNew York Yankees forJoely Rodríguez.[24][25] On August 1, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.[26] He was activated on October 3.[27] In 34 games for New York, Castro registered a 4.03 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 29.0 innings pitched.
On December 2, 2022, Castro signed a one-year contract with an option for 2024 with theArizona Diamondbacks.[28] He made a league–high 75 appearances for Arizona in 2023, recording a 4.31 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 7 saves across64+2⁄3 innings pitched.
Castro made 11 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2024, struggling to a 5.93 ERA with 8 strikeouts over13+2⁄3 innings of work. Castro wasdesignated for assignment by Arizona on July 30, 2024.[29] He was released the following day.[30]
On December 30, 2024, Castro signed a minor league contract with theHouston Astros that included an invitation to spring training.[31] Castro was assigned to the Triple-ASugar Land Space Cowboys to begin the 2025 season, where he logged a 3–0 record and 2.29 ERA with 20 strikeouts and five saves across 17 appearances.
On May 15, 2025, Castro was traded to theChicago White Sox in exchange for international bonus pool space.[32] The next day, the White Sox selected Castro's contract, adding him to their active roster.[33] In six appearances for Chicago, he struggled to a 7.50 ERA with four strikeouts over six innings of work. On May 28, Castro suffered a season-ending knee injury after slipping on first base while covering on a ground ball during a game against theNew York Mets.[34] The injury was later revealed to be atorn patellar tendon.[35]
Castro was born in La Romana, Dominican Republic. His father was aboxer. Castro spent his $43,000 signing bonus on aprostate operation for his father, as well as a surgery to remove his mother's fibrous tumour.[1]