Inside The Mets

New York Mets designate lefty reliever for assignment

The Mets are designating lefty reliever José Castillo for assignment, with Gregory Soto set to join the bullpen tonight.
Logan VanDine|
Jul 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jose Castillo (54) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Jul 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Jose Castillo (54) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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New York Mets

With newly acquired lefty reliever Gregory Soto slated to join the New York Mets' bullpen tonight, the ballclub is making another change to its bullpen.

Ahead of their series finale on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, the Mets are designating lefty reliever José Castillo for assignment, with Soto taking his spot in the bullpen.

Castillo, who last pitched for New York on Friday during their series-opening win against the Giants, was initially traded to the Mets from the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 15 for cash considerations. The lefty seemed to be a solid fit for the bullpen, especially after the Amazins' lost two of their lefty relievers, A.J. Minter (lat strain) and Danny Young (Tommy John), to season-ending surgeries.

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In his first 17 appearances for the Mets, Castillo posted a 4.58 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 17.2 innings pitched. However, following a poor outing against the Atlanta Braves on June 24 that raised his ERA to 5.60, the 29-year-old was DFA'd by the Mets on June 25. After clearing waivers, he was sent outright to Triple-A, where he posted a 1.69 ERA in five appearances for the Syracuse Mets.

Castillo returned to the Mets on July 25 and tossed a scoreless ninth inning that night, striking out three batters during New York's 8-1 win against San Francisco. Nonetheless, he was the corresponding move to make space for Soto's arrival to the team.

With Castillo's tenure in Flushing most likely over, the newly acquired Soto joins veteran reliever Brooks Raley as the only two lefties in the Mets' bullpen.

In 19 outings for the Mets this season, Castillo went 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and a 1.93 WHIP across 18.2 innings.

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Logan VanDine
LOGAN VANDINE

Logan VanDine is a contributing writer for On SI's Mets. Logan is a graduate of Rider University where he majored in Sports Media and minored in Sports Studies. During his time at Rider, Logan worked for Rider's radio station, 107.7 The Bronc as a sports host, producer and broadcaster, and for the school's paper: The Rider News. He began his time with The Rider News as a section writer for sports and was a copy editor for two years followed by being one of the sports editors during his senior year. Logan also placed third in the New Jersey Press Foundation Awards for sports feature writing. Aside from his work at On SI, he is also a writer for FanSided covering the New York Giants and Mets and also covers the Giants for Total Apex Sports. Give him a follow on X: @VandineLogan

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