By Jon Paul HoornstraShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberJose Castillo is on the move again — a longer move than any of the four he's already made in 2025.
More news: Mets Lose Former World Series Champion in Free Agency
The Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB, the top professional league in Japan, announced Sunday that they have signed the well-traveled pitcher for the 2026 season.
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Castillo, 29, struck out 30 batters, walked 14, and allowed 40 hits in his 32 innings for four different MLB teams in 2025.
The Mets claimed Castillo off waivers from the Orioles on Nov. 6. then decided not to tender him a contract for 2026 ahead of last week's deadline. Castillo went 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 16 relief appearances for the Mets last season.
But because Castillo was out of minor-league options, the Mets were forced to designate him for assignment in order to clear a 26-man roster spot on Aug. 30. The Seattle Mariners subsequently claimed Castillo off waivers — then lost him to the Orioles on a waiver claim in September.
More news: Former Cubs, Mets 3-Time All-Star Outfielder Dies
Castillo began the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and went 0-1 with an 11.37 ERA in five games before he was traded to the Mets for cash in May.
From 2018-23, Castillo appeared in 40 games, all relief appearances, for the San Diego Padres. The left-hander spent all of 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization but did not appear in a major league game.
More news: Former Dodgers, Mets Infielder Dies
Now Castillo will head to Japan for the first time in a professional career that began in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
At 6-foot-6, Castillo uses his intimidating arm slot and heavy sinker/slider repertoire to limit hard contact. He's also struck out 85 batters in 72.1 career innings at the major league level.
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For all his success, Castillo might not have liked his opportunities to sign a major league contract for the 2026 season coming off an up-and-down year.
More news: Red Sox Lose Pitcher to Mets in Free Agency
Players typically make a fraction of their major league salary in the minor leagues, and Castillo was potentially facing another year of shuttling back and forth between the majors and minors in 2026. With the Marines, his salary is less likely to fluctuate.
Castillo, who turns 30 in January, could also look to revive his career in Japan and return to North America after next season.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
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