SAN FRANCISCO -- In an interesting twist, the Mariners are expected to shuffle their rotation ahead of this weekend’s series vs. the Giants by pushing back Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo one day each and inserting Luis F. Castillo for Friday’s game at Oracle Park.
No, it’s not the same Luis Castillo who has been a three-time All-Star and the Mariners’ workhorse the past three seasons.
Mariners' probables @ San Francisco
- Friday (1:35 p.m. PT) -- Luis F. Castillo vs. Justin Verlander
- Saturday: (6:05 p.m.) -- Bryce Miller vs. Robbie Ray
- Sunday (1:05 p.m.) -- Bryan Woo vs. Jordan Hicks
This will mark consecutive starts by Seattle made by a Luis Castillo, considering that Luis M. Castillo outdueled Tarik Skubal in Wednesday’s win. We’ll circle back later on fun statistical nuggets with this one.
The move is not yet official, but Luis F. Castillo is expected to have his contract selected from Triple-A Tacoma and be added to the 40-man roster. The active roster has an opening after Jhonathan Díaz was optioned back to Tacoma on Thursday’s off-day. Castillo will also be making his first career start. His only MLB action is three relief outings, all in 2022 with the Tigers.
The decision shows that the Mariners are putting a premium on extra rest for their starters, because they could’ve conceivably remained on turn with Miller and Woo -- who already would’ve been on five days’ rest, instead of the standard four -- then bumped up Logan Gilbert to Sunday, who would’ve been on regular rest.
"The more days we can give our starters, the better, this early in the season,” Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth said before Wednesday's win. “Luckily, we have three off-days in the next [12] days. So it gives those guys either extra days or gives us the ability to push a guy, flip a guy, if anybody's a little soggier than the other.”
As the Mariners await the return of George Kirby from right shoulder inflammation, it’s possible that they could continue shuffling their rotation, especially with five off-days in April including Thursday.
"You need it now and you need it in August,” Woodworth said of the extra rest.
Luis F. Castillo joined the organization on a Minors contract with an invite to Spring Training, and he made three Cactus League appearances -- all in relief -- before being reassigned to Minors camp. His longest outing was three innings on March 6 vs. the D-backs, but he was stretched out to 5 2/3 innings with Tacoma on Sunday, meaning he’ll be on regular rest in San Francisco.
Castillo spent the past two seasons pitching in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, posting a 2.83 ERA for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2023 and a 2.93 ERA for the Orix Blue Wave in 2024. The 30-year-old was originally in the D-backs system (2012-21) before joining the Tigers (2022).