Toronto Blue Jays release infielder to sign with NPB's Nippon Ham-Fighters
Photo credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays have released middle infielder Rodolfo Castro to pursue an opportunity with NPB's Nippon-Ham Fighters
Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports, that Rodolfo Castro is pursuing an opportunity with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan.
Source: The #BlueJays have released IF Rodolfo Castro, to allow him to pursue an opportunity with the NPB's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Castro chose opportunity with Nippon Ham-Fighters rather than playing in Triple-A Buffalo
Castro had just signed with Toronto in November.
Rather than try to earn his way into a crowded infield picture as a non-roster invitee, he'll collect a guaranteed salary and head to Asia for the first time in his career.
Still just 26 years old (27 in May), Castro has played parts of four seasons in the big leagues. The majority of that has come with the Pirates, who traded him to Philadelphia at the 2023 deadline.
He hit .233/.299/.427 with 11 homers in 278 plate appearances back in '22, but he's an overall .219/.282/.380 hitter in 627 turns at the plate.
He's been considerably better as a right-handed hitter (.264/.331/.528) than as a left-handed hitter (.191/.268/.286).
He made just 14 appearances for the Phillies down the stretch and has not played in the leagues within the past two years.
Castro played the entire '25 season with their top affiliate in Lehigh Valley. He hit .235/.324/.421 with 19 homers and 18 stolen bases.
Castro qualified for minor league free agency and would likely have been at Triple-A Buffalo had he not gotten the NPB opportunity.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 14 | 61 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays release infielder to sign with NPB's Nippon Ham-Fighters Do you think Rodolfo Castro will make an impact with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan? | ||
| Yes | 29 | 47.5 % |
| No | 16 | 26.2 % |
| Too early to tell | 16 | 26.2 % |
| List of polls | ||