With June coming to a close, teams around the league will be trying to decide if they will be a buyer or seller ahead of the trade deadline at the end of July.
The Detroit Tigers will be one of the buyers next month as they look to add a piece to their bullpen and possibly a third baseman or right-handed bat to their lineup. Until then, they are exploring other avenues, such as waiver claims and minor league callups to fill certain voids.
Detroit recently sent struggling infielder Trey Sweeney down to Triple-A Toledo to make room for veteran outfielder Matt Vierling, who was on the IL.
The good news for Sweeney is that he wasn’t DFA’d, so he has another chance to get back to the majors. However, a former Tigers pitcher wasn’t so lucky with his new club, which kicked him to the curb on Sunday.
Former Tigers Hurler Luis F. Castillo Gets DFA’d by Baltimore Orioles
Ex-Tigers pitcher Luis F. Castillo was surprisingly designated by the Baltimore Orioles. The 30-year-old reliever was just reinstated from the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate (Norfolk Tides) 7-day injured list.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/yDhyBnPgfx
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 29, 2025
Castillo initially joined the Orioles at the beginning of May, as he was acquired in a trade from the Seattle Mariners. The right-handed pitcher didn’t appear in a single game with the O’s, as he was sent to Triple-A.
However, the ex-Tigers pitcher didn’t pitch for the Triple-A squad as he was placed on the IL and didn’t make a rehab assignment until June 10 with the FCL Orioles.
Before getting acquired by Baltimore, he was with Seattle, which signed him to a minor league pact this offseason. Castillo made two big league appearances with the Mariners and four with their Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. Seattle eventually DFA’d Castillo on May 6.
Tigers fans might not remember Castillo’s short time in the Motor City, as he only made three appearances in the majors. Most of his time was spent in the minor leagues at Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie.
At Toledo, he had a 4-1 record and 2.18 ERA across 40 appearances. After one season with the Tigers’ organization, Castillo took his talents overseas as he played for Chiba Lotte and Orix in 2023 and 2024.
That said, with the ex-Tigers getting DFA’d for the second time this season, we will see if he can find his way to another organization in the next week or so.