José Castillo Bio
José Gregorio Castillo Tovar, born on January 10, 1996, is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher currently signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). A left-handed reliever with extensive Major League Baseball experience, Castillo has pitched for the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles. He made his MLB debut in 2018 after progressing through multiple minor-league affiliates within the Tampa Bay Rays and Padres organizations.
Early Life and Background
José Gregorio Castillo Tovar was born in Venezuela on January 10, 1996, and raised in a country that has produced many prominent big-league arms. He grew up immersed in the vibrant Venezuelan baseball culture, where the sport is woven into daily life from an early age. That environment helped him develop the competitive mindset and durable work ethic that have defined his professional journey.
Castillo’s family supported his athletic development during his formative years, and he focused on pitching from a young age. His progression through local and regional circuits caught the attention of international scouts by his mid-teens. Although details of his formal education are limited, his baseball path took precedence as he prepared for a professional career abroad.
Path to Professional Baseball
Castillo signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent on July 6, 2012, beginning his professional career at just 16 years old. He made his official debut in 2013 with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rays, posting a 2-2 record and 5.87 ERA across 12 appearances. He returned to the GCL Rays in 2014, recording a 3.86 ERA with four strikeouts in limited action.
On December 19, 2014, the Rays traded Castillo, along with Wil Myers, Ryan Hanigan, and Gerardo Reyes, to the San Diego Padres in exchange for René Rivera, Burch Smith, and Jake Bauers. He split 2015 between the Low-A Tri-City Dust Devils and Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, going 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 79.1 innings. In 2016, Castillo pitched across Tri-City, Fort Wayne, and the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm, registering a 2-2 record and 2.03 ERA with 49 strikeouts and two saves in 40 innings.
José Castillo Career
Early Career (2012-2017)
Castillo’s development years were highlighted by steady advancement within the Padres minor-league system. In 2017, he represented Venezuela at the World Baseball Classic before splitting the regular season between Lake Elsinore and the Double-A San Antonio Missions, posting a 4-2 record and 2.88 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 47 relief appearances. That November, the Padres added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, signaling his rising organizational value.
Earlier that winter, Castillo had already transitioned from the Rays organization to the Padres as a teenager. His ability to handle a relief role across multiple levels suggested a future in the late innings. The World Baseball Classic experience further exposed him to high-pressure international competition, sharpening his approach before his major-league call-up.
San Diego Padres (2018-2023)
Castillo was called up by the Padres and made his major-league debut on June 2, 2018, retiring all three batters he faced with three strikeouts, including whiffs of Cincinnati Reds All-Stars Joey Votto and Eugenio Suárez. He finished 2018 with a 3-3 record, 3.29 ERA, and 52 strikeouts in 37 games and 38.1 innings, cementing himself as a reliable bullpen arm.
Injuries soon disrupted his momentum. Castillo began 2019 on the 60-day injured list with a left flexor strain and pitched only two-thirds of an inning before a left middle finger injury ended his year. The shortened 2020 campaign was lost to a left lat strain and a torn hand ligament, and on March 4, 2021, the Padres announced he would undergo Tommy John surgery.
After the long rehabilitation, Castillo returned to action in 2022, splitting time between the minors and the Padres before re-signing on a one-year deal that November. He opened 2023 with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas and struggled, posting a 9.82 ERA. He was designated for assignment on July 20, 2023, and traded to the Miami Marlins on July 25. With Triple-A Jacksonville, he logged a 5.59 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings before electing free agency on October 5, 2023.
Post-Padres Stops and International Move (2023-2025)
Castillo signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on November 27, 2023. In 21 appearances for the Triple-A Reno Aces in 2024, he recorded a 4.35 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 20.2 innings before electing free agency. He re-signed with Arizona on November 27, 2024, and opened 2025 with a 1.69 ERA over his first five Reno outings.
The Diamondbacks selected his contract on May 1, 2025, but he struggled to an 11.37 ERA in five appearances and was designated for assignment on May 12. On May 15, he was traded to the New York Mets, where he posted a 2.38 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11.1 innings across 13 appearances. He was designated for assignment on June 25, sent to Triple-A Syracuse, recalled on July 25, designated again on July 27, sent back on July 31, recalled on August 25, and designated for a third time on August 30. The Mariners claimed him on September 3, 2025, and he posted three scoreless innings before a September 12 designation. The Baltimore Orioles claimed him on September 15, finishing the year with a 2.45 ERA and seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings. On November 30, 2025, Castillo signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of NPB.
Driving Style and Strengths
Castillo relies on a deceptive left-handed delivery that plays well against same-handed hitters, generating swings and misses with breaking offerings. His ability to log multi-inning relief outings has been valued by several organizations. Track-record of strikeouts per inning pitched remains his calling card, and he has historically posted strong ground-ball numbers when his mechanics are in sync.
Notable Events and Milestones
His 2018 debut, in which he struck out the side against the Reds, remains a defining early-career moment. Representing Venezuela at the 2017 World Baseball Classic highlighted his international credentials. The 2025 season alone saw him wear five different MLB uniforms, an unusual feat that underscored his persistence.
José Castillo Career Wins
Castillo has earned wins at both the major- and minor-league levels, with his MLB victory coming during his brief 2025 stint with the Seattle Mariners. He has also logged wins across developmental affiliates, including the Padres system and Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate. His career win totals reflect a journeyman reliever who has continued to find opportunities despite frequent movement between organizations.
MLB Highlights
Castillo’s most memorable MLB stretch came in 2018, when he finished with a 3.29 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 37 appearances for the Padres. In 2025, he posted a 2.38 ERA with the Mets and a 2.45 ERA with the Orioles, demonstrating that his stuff still plays at the top level. His lone confirmed 2025 win came in three scoreless innings for Seattle.
José Castillo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Castillo’s family remains limited. He was raised in Venezuela and is supported by loved ones there, though specific family names have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Castillo keeps his personal life largely out of the public eye. He relocated to Japan in late 2025 to continue his career with the Chiba Lotte Marines. There are no confirmed public details regarding a spouse or children at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Castillo’s 2025 campaign was defined by constant movement between rosters. He opened the year in Triple-A Reno before a brief, turbulent stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks that ended in a May 12 designation. A quick trade to the New York Mets revived his form, as he delivered a 2.38 ERA across 13 appearances before being designated three times in a span of two months.
After waiver claims by the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles, Castillo produced scoreless and effective innings for both clubs. He finished the MLB portion of 2025 with strong peripheral numbers, despite the limited number of stable opportunities. His late-November move to the Chiba Lotte Marines opened a new chapter in NPB.
Looking ahead, Castillo’s 2026 outlook will depend on how his arm holds up in Japan’s heavier workload demands. His track record of strikeouts and ground balls should translate, and a defined bullpen role in Chiba could finally offer the consistency his MLB tenure rarely provided.