ST PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Seattle Mariners defeated Diego Castillo in the first salary arbitration decision this year, and the relief pitcher will receive a $2.95 million raise in instead of his request of $3,225,000.
Richard Bloch, Melinda Gordon and Brian Keller made the decision Wednesday, a day after hearing arguments.
Castillo, a 29-year-old right-hander who earned $2.15 million last season, went 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA and seven saves in 59 relief appearances, striking out 53 and walking 22 in 54 1/3 innings. The Mariners reached the playoffs for the first time since 2001 and lost to eventual World Series champion Houston in the Division Series .
Castillo signed with the Rays in 2014 and pitched for Tampa Bay from 2018 until he was released. traded to Seattle in July 2021 . He is 24-18 with a 3.12 ERA and 35 saves in five major league seasons, and is eligible for free agency after the 2024 World Series.
