The Arizona Diamondbacks have designated for assignment right-handed relief pitcher Humberto Castellanos, according to a team press release.
With the expected return of right-handed starter Merrill Kelly coming to fruition, the D-backs needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, and Castellanos was the odd man out. Kelly was officially activated from the 60-day injured list and will make his first start since returning today against the Phillies.
Castellanos, 26, had appeared in just seven games for the major league club this year, spending time with the D-backs four times. He pitched to a subpar 5.23 ERA and struggled with control, but his 3.56 FIP suggested he pitched at a better level than the superficial numbers suggest.
The right-hander has endured several rough seasons, spending time on the 60-day IL in both 2022 and 2023. Castellanos, formerly a starting pitcher, served as a cleanup long relief pitcher for Arizona this season, although he did pitch in some key games.
His most notable performance this year was a gutsy extra-inning save that found him balancing on the high wire against the San Diego Padres but managing to secure the win in a game the D-backs desperately needed.
Castellanos may not have been the most effective pitcher, but he kept the bullpen fresh with his length and did an excellent job in the role he was assigned. He joined the organization in 2021 and posted a 4.59 ERA this season in a very offensive-heavy Pacific Coast League, but allowed just a .213 average against him.
Along with Castellanos, the D-backs sent right-hander Scott McGough back to Triple-A Reno.
McGough was also an inconsistent pitcher, posting a 6.83 ERA with the D-backs. He hadn’t pitched in the major leagues since June 27 and spent extended time in Triple-A, but finished Arizona’s 11-1 win over the Phillies last night with two scoreless innings to keep the rest of the bullpen busy.
He will return to Triple-A after just one appearance and will continue to play in the hitter-friendly PCL. While it’s unlikely we’ll see Castellanos pitch for the D-backs again at least in 2024, McGough will remain with the organization and could be called upon again in a moment of need.
