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The Phillies made two deals to start the week, claiming utility man Diego Castillo off waivers from the Yankees and trading cash considerations to the Cubs for right-handed reliever Michael Rucker.
There were 39 players on the Phillies’ 40-man roster before the moves. Castillo and Rucker were added and reliever Andrew Bellatti was designated for assignment to free up the last spot.
Castillo, 26, not to be confused with the Rays/Mariners setup man of the same name, played 96 games with the Pirates in 2022. He had just one at-bat in 2023 with the Diamondbacks. He has hit .205/.250/.380 with 11 home runs and 13 doubles in 284 plate appearances. He has a career .296 batting average and .410 on-base percentage in 177 games at Triple A and has played every position, working most at shortstop.
Rucker was designated DFA by the Cubs last week when they signed Hector Neris. He appeared in 76 games for Chicago the past two seasons, pitching to a 4.36 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 95 innings. He will turn 30 at the end of April. Rucker throws six different pitches, but mostly cuts fastballs in 2023, throwing them a combined 66.2 percent of the time.
Importantly, Rucker has one minor league option remaining, meaning he can be sent to the minors without going through waivers.
Bellatti, who has no minor league options, has been with the Phillies since November 2021. He was one of their most surprising contributors in 2022 with a 3.31 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 54⅓ innings. Last season didn’t go so well. Bellatti dealt with a triceps injury in April and May and made as many appearances in Triple A as he did in the majors, ultimately finishing with a 5.11 ERA. He can become a free agent if no team claims him off waivers.