Padres left-handed reliever Jose Castillo departed his sim game after six pitches Tuesday because of forearm tightness, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
This is the latest setback for Castillo, who missed all of last season because of a teres major strain and threw just two-thirds of an inning in 2019 while dealing with a flexor strain and a torn ligament in his hand. The severity of Castillo’s current issue isn’t yet known, but considering forearm problems often serve as a precursor to Tommy John surgery, he and the Padres are surely holding their breath leading up to Wednesday’s re-evaluation.
Still just 25 years old, Castillo debuted in 2018 with a very productive rookie season, during which he fired 38 1/3 innings of 3.29 ERA/2.53 SIERA ball, managed a tremendous 34.7 percent strikeout rate, and complemented that with a solid 8.0 percent walk rate. Castillo also averaged about 95 mph on his fastball then and held his own against both left- and right-handed hitters. With the Padres expected to contend in 2021, Castillo could re-emerge as an important part of their bullpen if he’s healthy, but it’s once again up in the air whether he’ll be able to contribute.
The news is better in regards to right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who was among the majors’ best starters in 2020 before elbow trouble ended his season in late September. Lamet threw 15 pitches and reached 96 mph on his fastball Tuesday, according to Cassavell, but he may not necessarily be ready for Opening Day. Understandably, the Padres are erring on the side of caution with Lamet, but he has “been right on track” in his recovery so far, general manager A.J. Preller said.
They got great starters
PadresPadres
Go sign Cole Hamels and put Morejon in the pen to replace Castillo.
Could be TJS inbound for Castillo
Every body and there mother wants everybody and there mother to sign Cole Hamels lately.
My mother and I were just discussing that.
Haaaaha
You can’t replace a guy who wasn’t expected to make the ML roster in the first place.
That sucks for the young man, but you can see this is leading to TJS… good luck and a long journey back to health would be welcome, wished from anyone who never had the stuff to make it to the show!
Only because Giolito’s possible extension was a recent topic of conversation, but this is one of the reasons for him to consider extending. Injuries among pitchers don’t discriminate.
So much potential but can’t stay healthy.
Great news for Padres and Lamet. Take er slow
The Padres are just delaying Lamet Tommy John’s surgery, he will miss 2021 and 2022. if he had it in 2020 he would be back for 2022. Another pitch mistake by Padres’s front office and manager.
@larry48 he is destined for the pen hence why padres loaded up on starters. Padres stans cant see the tea leaves that lamet will need his second tj….
Of course as a Padres fan I was not counting on him this year. Here’s the thing I fully expect the Dodgers to win a WS this year. In the next year or two the Dodgers will decline as their staff ages and free agency hits. The rest of the West will improve and the Padres will be poised for a run at a WS. So yes, enjoy it. They have earned it. The Padres will make it interesting like the Sox did to the Yankees in ’03. Then in 2004…everything changed.
Tow, I’m a fan of both teams and you make some good points. I just want to note that the Dodgers SP should remain excellent the next several years as Buehler, Urias, May, Gonsolin and Gonzalez step up to replace Kershaw and company.
@tow.
Unlike other teams, the Dodgers never seem to decline. They are a self replenishing organism.
Highest payroll in sports = self-replenishing.
Tatsumaki, we’re dumb? You’re the one who commented on an article about a pitcher headed for a second TJ with the article saying “he threw 96mph and looked good but still may not be ready”..
By the way he pitched a 2.3 ERA last year in a short season fully healthy so by all means keep making bold statements so I can continue to take what you say less seriously.
Also gotta be the last straw for Castillo if he can’t come back
@HosHOF, Lamet ERA last year was 2.09, not 2.30, Tats is just envious
You’d be surprised. A lot of us Padres fans have been expecting the “Lamet to have TJS” headlines for a while. Check out the social media forums, it’s been a big talking point.
@uk of course there’s been great concern, but it’s good news so far and the Padre medical staff are pleased. Can’t we as fans leave it at that?
Larry, that’s what was said about Tanaka. Not saying it won’t happen, but it’s not guaranteed as you’re suggesting.
@ larry. Since you’re so good at predicting the future, mind sharing the upcoming PowerBall numbers? Asking for a friend. Thanks.
Lamet. The best two pitch pitcher in baseball. You can get by being a two pitch pitcher. Just ask Nolan Ryan.
I don’t know how long he’ll last, but I’m targeting him in every fantasy draft.
“A hall of famer was successful doing it, so anyone can!”
What a take
I dunno. It sells a lot of sports drink.
Lurking lurking. Did you know he was a two pitch pitcher? Did you know both pitchers are dominating? My guess is you know nothing. You’re a jerk.
Ryan also through a pretty nice change up. So it was really a 3 pitch mix
If Lamet continues a large number of sliders he will blow out his elbow and have to have surgery. If he quit throwing the slider he will get bombed.
@larry48 gets it.
Yes, he is correct, but you roll with him as long as you can.
Unfortunately larry48 is right, Lamet is inevitably going to need TJ to continue his pitching career, and with all these delays, he’s not going to be 100% until sometime in the 2023 season. Sad.
@Halo … You need to surrender your Angels Fan Card. Nolan Ryan had three pitches: fastball, curve, and change. He struck out Bobby Grich on a change to complete his fourth no-hitter.
Hope Lamet heals up and puts this behind him. There are going to be a ton of injured pitchers over the next few years.
2020 short season, probable 2021 interruptions and 2022 lockout or strike will all cause them because pitchers won’t have proper ST and regular usage. A team that uses 6/7/8 man rotation and Openers will likely fare better than the rest.
Prediction is that poorly run teams like the Mets don’t catch on quickly enough and suffer. LAD are already working to protect themselves
I can’t believe how many MD’s there are on here. Not only are they MD’s, but they have access to Lamet’s medical records and know him personally.
@nutznboltz leave the snark to those of us who are good at it pal.
You are sooo good at being snarky pitcher wins! Congrats
@Smelly_Cobb Have the Red Sox extended Kirby Yates yet?
lol I already told you I never said that.
Get over yourself, nutz. Are you new to baseball? Or just new to hanging out with knowledgeable baseball fans?
I remember last year when the Padres rested Pomeranz for a few games because of tightness in either his shoulder or elbow and people were saying he was done for the year. To manny MD’s in the kitchen. I get the feeling that these same people are fans of other teams and just come on here to troll. What I can’t figure out is why they care so much about the Pads. I don’t go on the Dudgers or any other team’s site because I don’t care about them.
I feel so bad for Castillo. He has superstar written all over him. Hopefully he can recover from this without surgery. What I don’t understand is how he could hurt his elbow when he really hasn’t pitched in about two years.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think I’ve ever read anything positive from lary48 or Tatsumaki in regards to the Padres.
I think you are wrong. They love the Padres soo much that they post about them more than the average Padres fan does.
Ryan, The keyword was positive.
@nutz
There’s a difference between being positive and being delusional. I was born and raised in San Diego. I’ve seen a lot of mediocre baseball from the local scrubs in my day.
I think the current ownership’s efforts to improve the team are fantastic. But unless the Dodgers just implode or have some really bad luck with injuries this season, I don’t think it’s going to be enough.
@dan75, true over course of the year. But as a Giants fan I recall the same being said of our chances each of those 3 recent WS ring years. The Padres may not win the division until 2022 but much can happen if they get into the playoffs. And it’s not delusional thinking that they are playoff bound again.
And then you’ve got the uber-homer Pollyannas. They’re even worse than the delusional Padre fans.
True.
I may be wrong, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a positive thing from lary48 or Tatsumaki in regards to the Padres.
Dr.Dan. I agree with you assessment about the Dudgers. I am no way dilusional. I was born and raised there too. My grandfather took me to a lot of games their first season.