The Philadelphia Phillies have released 2nd baseman Luis Castillo.
Castillo was signed by the Phillies on Sunday, March 20th to a minor-league contract. He was given an 8-day tryout to make the team while star 2nd baseman Chase Utley is sidelined with patellar tendinitis and chondromalacia in his knee.
The 35-year-old second baseman was released by the New York Mets earlier this Spring and quickly signed with the division rival Phillies after clearing waivers.
If Castillo had made the Opening Day 25-man roster he would have been guaranteed $414,000. Since he failed to make the roster the Phillies paid him nothing for his week-long tryout.
Castillo, a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, struggled last season, hitting .235 with a .337 on base percentage, and .267 slugging percentage. But he was plagued with foot injuries that limited him to just 86 games.
The switch hitting veteran posted a .604 OPS in 2011, which ranked 291st among 305 players with at least 250 plate appearances in the majors last year.
However Castillo is just one year removed from a season in which he hit .302 with a .387 on base percentage and converted 20 of 26 stolen base attempts while playing in 142 games.
From 1999-2009 Castillo hit .298 with a .375 on base percentage and .362 slugging percentage and averaged 36 steals and 99 runs scored every 162 games.
He is now a free-agent and can sign with any team.
With Castillo out of the picture, Wilson Valdez is expected to start at second base for the Phillies.
Rule 5 pick Michael Marinez appears to have made the opening-day roster. Pete Orr and Delwyn Young competing for the final roster spot. Reliever Michael Stutes is also in the running for the club’s final roster spot.
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