Blue Jays release former Phillies, Pirates infielder to pursue NPB career

Matt Sullivan

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Blue Jays release former Phillies, Pirates infielder to pursue NPB career image

The Toronto Blue Jays have been making a lot of roster moves this offseason, with the majority coming in the form of big-name additions like Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers, Kazuma Okamoto, and Cody Ponce.

With serious interest in Kyle Tucker, and some interest still in re-signing Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays' next roster moves could be very exciting ones.

However, according to Ari Alexander of 7 News, the Blue Jays' next roster move is a smaller one, as infielder Rodolfo Castro is being released by the team to allow him to pursue a career in Japan in the NPB.

Blue Jays cut ties with infielder for NPB career

"Source: The Blue Jays have released IF Rodolfo Castro," Alexander reports, "to allow him to pursue an opportunity with the NPB's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters."

Castro is just 26 years old and spent the majority of his Major League career in Pennsylvania with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies.

With the Pirates, he played 180 games, recording a.226 batting average with a.695 OPS. With the Phillies, he had a.100 average with an OPS of.256 in 14 games and 30 at-bats.

More: MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2025 free agency

Castro was acquired by the Phillies in 2023, but didn't play much before his eventual free agency after the 2025 season. Not long after the offseason began, he signed with the Blue Jays.

But, after that November 26th signing by the Blue Jays, Castro lasted a little over a month with the Blue Jays, being released at the beginning of January to pursue a career in the NPB.

Castro is heading overseas, and the Blue Jays are clearing some space on the roster with his departure to join the NPB's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

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Contributing Writer