Different team, different jersey, same energy: Luis Castillo prepared for Chicago White Sox debut Thursday
BOSTON — Luis Castillo has been through this process before.
“This is the sixth time that I’ve been traded,” the pitcher said through an interpreter Tuesday in the visitors dugout at Fenway Park. “It’s nothing new for me.
“Different team, different jersey. But the same energy and I’m the same person.”
The Chicago White Sox acquired the veteran right-hander in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. He’ll make his first start for the Sox in Thursday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
It’s a fresh start for Castillo.
“That is the way that I see it,” he said. “The transition sometimes is a little bit challenging because you have to get to know new people and your teammates. But once you cross the white lines, it’s baseball. And you’re going to do whatever you need to do to help your team win games.”
Castillo, 33, is one of the four new members of the team after a flurry of deals at the trade deadline. The Sox also acquired reliever Huascar Brazobán from the New York Mets, outfielder Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies and catcher Joey Bart from the Atlanta Braves.
Manager Will Venable sees the Sox benefiting from the additions.
“I think it means a lot, guys that have been in tough spots before and know how to navigate tough situations and have tons of experience throughout this league over a number of years,” Venable said Tuesday. “The number one thing with those guys, too, is all just really good guys. You ask around the league, obviously do your due diligence on these guys, and they all come with great reputations as far as the kind of people they are, the kind of teammates.
“So we’re really excited to add, not only what they’re going to do on the field, but what they’re going to add to our clubhouse, too.”
Castillo is 87-93 with a 3.65 ERA in 263 games (260 starts) during 10 major-league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2017-22) and the Mariners (2022-26). The three-time All-Star (2019, 2022, 2023) has 1,579 strikeouts in 1,510⅓ career innings.
“I always try to pass along that mindset, that mentality of winning,” Castillo said. “Because that’s what we’re here for, to win games. If anybody needs advice, I’m here to give that advice. I’m here to help everybody to get better, too.”
Castillo is 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 20 games (17 starts) this season. He has 86 strikeouts in 99⅔ innings.
“The good thing is I feel good and I feel good to keep competing and getting the results,” Castillo said.
Venable added, “I hope that there’s something to just being on a regular schedule that is a benefit to him. A change of scenery. He’s going to have new voices with the new pitching staff, new guys to throw to. I know more than anything with a guy who’s been around that much, (he) has a great feel for what he can do, who he is and will go out and make the adjustments he needs.”
Castillo’s journey to the Sox included being traded from the San Francisco Giants organization to the Marlins in 2014, moved twice in 2016 — first from the Marlins to the Padres and then back to the Marlins — traded to the Reds in 2017 and then to the Mariners in 2022.
The Mariners at times this season employed a piggyback system, utilizing two traditional starters in one game.
“In Seattle, we had a few piggyback games,” Castillo said. “But now, I’m going to get to my routine, the things I’ve been doing through my whole career and that’s something that I know how to deal with and that I feel very comfortable with.”
And he is looking forward to aiding as the Sox make a push for the playoffs. Castillo is 2-3 with a 2.25 ERA in six career postseason appearances (five starts).
“I think the key when you are competing for a spot in the playoffs is, of course, to win games — to have that mentality,” Castillo said. “But in order to do that, you have to stay healthy. If you are healthy, you’re going to be able to perform and do the things you need to do in order to help this team to win games.”
Sox designate outfielder Austin Hays for assignment
The Sox designated outfielder Austin Hays for assignment Wednesday.
The veteran had been working his way back from a left calf strain. He missed time earlier in the season with a right hamstring strain.
The Sox signed Hays to a one-year deal in the offseason. He slashed .233/.250/.326 (10-for-43) with one home run and seven RBI in 12 games with the Sox.
“He made such an impact here, even for a guy that wasn’t on the field doing his thing,” Venable said Wednesday. “He made an impact in the clubhouse, he was great for me, he was great for our players and a veteran guy that these guys leaned on and was a big part of our culture and what these guys have built.
“Just kind of a roster cutch there, where you make the Doyle move, (Randal Grichuk) has kind of solidified his spot.”