Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo will not be part of the team that will represent the Dominican Republic in the fifth edition of the World Baseball Classic.
What was an ‘open’ secret was confirmed this Wednesday by the general manager of the Mariners, Jerry Dipoto, who said that in a mutual agreement with Castillo, they decided that he would not be part of the Creole squad in the fair that is scheduled for take place in March.
“Castillo will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic, he will be in training camps with us and that is something we are pleased with, it is a decision we made together and we are excited to see him with us from start to finish.” Dipoto said.
In recent days, the general manager of the Dominican team, Nelson Cruz, had announced that he was in talks with Scott Servais, manager of the Mariners, to obtain authorization, an attempt that ultimately had no positive results.
“The Stone,” as Castillo is nicknamed, signed a 5-year, $108 million contract with the Mariners, which could make him one of their star starters through the 2028 season.
Castillo went 8-6 with a 2.99 ERA, 167 strikeouts and 45 walks in 150.1 innings of work in 2022 with the Cincinnati Reds and Mariners.
Dipoto assured that there is the possibility that Julio Rodríguez, Teoscar Hernández and Diego Castillo will be part of the Dominican team for the event that brings together 20 teams.
