José Castillo Bio
José Gregorio Castillo Tovar, born on January 10, 1996, is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). A right-handed reliever with extensive experience in the upper levels of professional baseball, he has spent more than a decade moving between organizations in search of a stable major league role. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2018 and has since appeared for five different big-league clubs.
Known for a high-spin fastball and a strikeout profile that has followed him from the minor leagues to the majors, Castillo has built his career on short stints out of the bullpen. His journey through the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles has shaped him into a depth option capable of stepping into a major league game on short notice. His move to Japan in late 2025 represented a new chapter in a career defined by persistence through roster turnover.
Early Life and Background
José Gregorio Castillo Tovar was born on January 10, 1996, in Venezuela. He grew up in a country where baseball is a national passion, surrounded by a deep talent pool that has produced generations of major leaguers. From a young age, he was drawn to the pitcher’s mound, developing the arm strength and competitive mindset that would later attract professional scouts.
As a teenager in Venezuela, Castillo was identified by international scouts as a promising young arm with projectable mechanics. He signed his first professional contract as a 16-year-old, leaving his home country to begin a long climb through the minor league system. His early training in Venezuelan baseball academies prepared him for the demands of professional competition and laid the groundwork for his transition to the United States.
Path to Baseball
Castillo signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent on July 6, 2012, beginning his professional career at the age of 16. He made his debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rays in 2013, posting a 2-2 record and a 5.87 ERA across 12 games. The following season, he returned to the GCL Rays, where he recorded a 3.86 ERA with four strikeouts in a brief stint before injuries slowed his progress.
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. The trade gave Castillo a fresh start in a new organization and set the stage for his rapid development through the Padres’ minor league affiliates.
José Castillo Career
Early Career (2013-2017)
After joining the Padres organization, Castillo split the 2015 season between the Low-A Tri-City Dust Devils and the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, accumulating a 4-2 record and a 3.74 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 79+1⁄3 innings across 19 appearances. His strong strikeout rate marked him as a pitcher to watch within the system.
In 2016, Castillo pitched across three levels, including the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm, posting a combined 2-2 record and a 2.03 ERA with 49 strikeouts and two saves over 40 innings in relief appearances. The following year, he split time between Lake Elsinore and the Double-A San Antonio Missions, recording a 4-2 record and a 2.88 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 47 relief appearances. He was also selected to the Venezuela national baseball team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic. On November 21, 2017, the Padres added Castillo to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
San Diego Padres Breakthrough (2018-2023)
Castillo was called up by the Padres and made his major league debut on June 2, 2018. In his first appearance, he pitched a 1-2-3 inning with three strikeouts, including strikeouts of Cincinnati Reds All-Stars Joey Votto and Eugenio Suárez. He finished his rookie season with a 3-3 record and a 3.29 ERA in 37 games, striking out 52 batters in 38+1⁄3 innings.
His progress was halted by injuries in the years that followed. Castillo began the 2019 season on the 60-day injured list due to a left flexor strain, pitched only two-thirds of an inning before a left middle finger injury ended his year. He missed the entire 2020 season because of a left lat strain and a torn ligament in his hand, and on March 4, 2021, it was announced that he would require Tommy John surgery. After a long rehabilitation, Castillo returned to the Padres in 2022, re-signing with the club and having his contract selected in August.
In 2023, Castillo struggled in limited major league action and was designated for assignment on July 20 following the activation of Robert Suárez from the injured list. On July 25, 2023, he was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations, then sent outright to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He elected free agency on October 5, 2023.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2023-2025)
On November 27, 2023, Castillo signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made 21 appearances for the Triple-A Reno Aces in 2024, compiling a 4.35 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 20+2⁄3 innings. After electing free agency, he re-signed with the Diamondbacks on a new minor league deal on November 27, 2024, and opened the 2025 season at Triple-A Reno with a 1.69 ERA and seven strikeouts in his first five games.
On May 1, 2025, the Diamondbacks selected Castillo’s contract, adding him to their active roster. In five appearances for Arizona, he struggled to an 11.37 ERA with three strikeouts across 6+1⁄3 innings, and he was designated for assignment on May 12.
New York Mets Era (2025)
On May 15, 2025, Castillo was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. In 13 appearances for New York, he posted a 0-1 record and a 2.38 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 11+1⁄3 innings. He was designated for assignment on June 25, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. Castillo was added back to the major league roster on July 25, designated for assignment again on July 27, and sent back to Syracuse on July 31. His contract was selected once more on August 25 before a third designation on August 30.
Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles Era (2025)
On September 3, 2025, Castillo was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. He made three scoreless appearances for Seattle, recording one win and one strikeout across three innings before being designated for assignment on September 12. Two days later, on September 15, the Baltimore Orioles claimed him off waivers. In five appearances for the Orioles, he posted a 2.45 ERA with seven strikeouts across 7+1⁄3 innings.
Chiba Lotte Marines Era (2025-Present)
On November 30, 2025, Castillo signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball, beginning a new chapter of his career in Japan. He wears number 11 for the Marines and joins a NPB franchise looking to add experienced bullpen depth for the upcoming season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Castillo’s major league debut on June 2, 2018, stands as one of the defining moments of his career, striking out the side including All-Stars Joey Votto and Eugenio Suárez. His selection to the Venezuela national baseball team for the 2017 World Baseball Classic highlighted his standing within the country’s baseball community. His move to the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2025 represents his first opportunity outside of affiliated American baseball.
José Castillo Career Wins
Castillo has recorded multiple victories across the major leagues, with his wins scattered across several organizations. Through the 2025 season, his MLB career includes a 5-5 win-loss record, a 4.11 ERA, and 85 strikeouts. His wins have come primarily in relief, reflecting his role as a bullpen arm rather than a traditional starting pitcher.
MLB Highlights
Castillo’s first MLB win came during his 2018 rookie campaign with the Padres, when he posted a 3-3 record and a 3.29 ERA in 37 appearances. He added another victory with the Seattle Mariners in September 2025, recording one win across three scoreless innings. His strikeout ability has remained a constant, with 85 career strikeouts at the major league level.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Castillo earned wins at multiple levels, including a 4-2 record with Fort Wayne and Tri-City in 2015 and a 4-2 record across Lake Elsinore and San Antonio in 2017. His performance in Triple-A included strong showings with Reno and Syracuse, where he served as a reliable bullpen option.
José Castillo Family
Family Background and Baseball Heritage
Castillo hails from Venezuela, a country renowned for producing elite baseball talent. His signing as a 16-year-old international free agent in 2012 reflects the strong pipeline of Venezuelan players entering professional baseball.
Personal Life
Castillo was born José Gregorio Castillo Tovar, with his given name reflecting his Venezuelan heritage. He has kept much of his personal life private throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of constant movement for Castillo. He opened the year at Triple-A Reno before being selected by the Diamondbacks on May 1, then moved through the Mets, Mariners, and Orioles organizations via trades, waiver claims, and outright assignments. His performance varied from organization to organization, with a strong 2.38 ERA in 13 appearances for the Mets and a 2.45 ERA across five outings with the Orioles.
Despite the turbulence, Castillo demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly to new environments, often posting strong strikeout rates in limited innings. His late-season claim by the Baltimore Orioles and subsequent move to the Chiba Lotte Marines suggested a search for the kind of long-term stability that has eluded him throughout his major league career. Heading into 2025, his outlook in NPB offered a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a dependable late-inning option.