Castillo joins Mariners in NY, set for debut Wednesday

NEW YORK -- Luis Castillo arrived at Yankee Stadium on Monday eager to meet his new teammates and inject himself in the thick of a playoff chase. Yet before diving into scouting reports for his Seattle debut on Wednesday, manager Scott Servais wanted the skinny on Castillo’s famed dreadlocks, clad in matching dye for his time with the Reds.

Will he change colors? If so, to which?

“Verde?” Mariners interpreter Freddy Llanos asked the Spanish-speaking Castillo during his introduction. “Si,” Castillo responded with a wide grin.

It was an encapsulating moment of humor and levity now that the two-time All-Star can put the stress of trade speculation behind him. The Mariners had aggressively pursued Castillo last offseason before the lockout, and they were among the half-dozen-plus contenders in on him ahead of Tuesday’s Trade Deadline, including the Yankees, who he’ll pitch against in the series finale.

“Obviously, I’d heard all the rumors throughout the whole journey,” said Castillo, who was acquired on Friday. “I heard that five, six teams, a lot of rumors that there were a lot of teams looking for me, but I was always focused, always focused on doing my job. And luckily, the trade here is now in Seattle and I’m here, and I’m happy.”

He’s also excited to be moving from a team 21 games under .500 to one that entered the week occupying the second AL Wild Card spot.

“You’re coming to a team that is so close to getting to the postseason,” Castillo said. “And so the only thing left is just continue doing what the team has been doing and working hard. And I'm sure we'll get there. ... The Mariners are close. But yeah, now that I’m on the team, we’ll see what happens.”

Castillo threw a bullpen session on Monday in preparation for his first Mariners start, which he’ll make opposite five-time All-Star Gerrit Cole in what should be quite a matchup -- perhaps even a preview of what might come in October.

“He’s going to be a great addition for us,” Servais said. “I’m anxious to see him get out and pitch. I know he threw a bullpen today, and guys were very excited about what they saw there, as they should be. He’s got elite stuff.”

The Mariners acquired Castillo to be a top-of-the-rotation ace despite having a starting staff that has been remarkably consistent and, even more impressive, healthy all season. Yet their depth beyond Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales, Chris Flexen and George Kirby is thin, and Kirby will continue to face workload management decisions the rest of the way. Gilbert could be in that category, too, but Castillo’s addition will help mitigate that.

With Thursday’s off-day, then Saturday’s doubleheader against the Angels, Seattle will use all six starters on turn the next time through, then the Mariners will make longer-scope decisions after. But Monday was more about Castillo getting acclimated with his new clubhouse, where he joined former Reds teammates Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez, who were acquired in March.

“We've been in constant communication,” Castillo said. “They've been helping me out a lot and seeing what I can expect from Seattle. But yeah, like any other teammates, they just kind of roped me in to tell me how Seattle is.”

The Mariners parted with three of their Top 5 prospects, including infielders Noelvi Marte (No. 1) and Edwin Arroyo (No. 2) and pitcher Levi Stoudt (No. 5), along with unranked pitcher Andrew Moore. To make room for Castillo on the 26-man roster, reliever Brennan Bernardino was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

“I feel like the team has welcomed me very good,” Castillo said. “I'm excited and I'm happy to be here.”

And how about that hair long term? Will we see Northwest Green soon?

“I like to add different colors to add a little personality better,” Castillo said through a smile.

One thing is certain: Servais, who famously cut his hair to match Edwin Díaz after the closer notched his 50th save for Seattle in 2018, won’t be making any similar bets this time.

“We won’t be betting on that one,” Servais laughed. “That’s a good one. I like it. That will not become a bet. I can guarantee that.”