Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Posted: 9:43 a.m. Updated 4:14 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.In one breath, Luis Castillo said he felt like a rookie again. In another, he said he had 15 years of big-league experience and knows what has to be done to win a job with the Phillies.
After a drama-filled morning, Castillo arrived in Phillies camp Tuesday afternoon. The New York Mets castoff will begin a final-week dash to win the Phils starting second base job on Wednesday.
Im healthy and I feel good, he said. Im excited to be here. I want to compete and win a job here. I have 10 days to prove it.
Castillo, 35, was released by the Mets on Friday amid reports that his playing skills and attitude had diminished. The Phillies, looking for a boost at second base in the wake of Chase Utleys being out indefinitely with a knee injury, signed him to a minor-league contract on Sunday night. Castillo will either make the Phils 25-man roster or be released by opening day. He has eight games to prove he belongs.
Castillo knows his critics say his skills have slipped.
That bothers me a little, he said. I have an opportunity here to show I can still play, and thats what I want to do. This is my 15th year in the big leagues. I know what I have to do.
MLB
Castillo will compete with Wilson Valdez, a former Mets teammate, for the second base job. Josh Barfield, Pete Orr, Michael Martinez and Delwyn Young are also in camp vying for work at the position.
Castillos bid for a job did not get off to a good start as he was scratched from Tuesdays lineup. Phils officials had expected him to be in camp in time to play Tuesday afternoon. Due to a miscommunication, Castillo didnt arrive until after game time Tuesday. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was surprised that Castillo wasnt in camp Tuesday morning, but didnt fret over the late arrival.
It just gives us one less day to evaluate him, Amaro said.
Castillo is scheduled to start at second when the Phils play the Rays in Port Charlotte on Wednesday.
Castillo brings a solid resume to Clearwater. He is a career .290 hitter with a lifetime on-base percentage of .368. He is a three-time all-star and gold glove winner, though the last of those honors came in 2005. He was the National League stolen base champ in 2000 and 2002. However, he was limited to 86 games by a series of foot and leg injuries last season and hit just .235 with no homers and 17 RBIs.
Hes a veteran guy who has had some success, Amaro said. Hes probably not the same player he was several years ago. But he can do some things on the bases. He takes pitches, he can extend the inning offensively, and hes always been a good defender. There are some questions about his range and how hes moving. Were going to give ourselves a chance to find out.
Castillo likes his chances because hes healthy. He said he was in his best physical condition since 2005.
When you are hurt, its hard to play baseball, he said.
The Mets are paying Castillos 6 million salary. The Phils will only have to pay him 414,000 if he makes their club.
Castillo spent parts of four seasons with the Mets and his time in New York didnt end well. He dropped a popup to lose a game against the Yankees in 2009 and became a symbol for much of what was wrong with a losing ballclub. This spring, Castillo hit .286 (8 for 28) with no extra-base hits in 11 games for the Mets. Castillo was not pleased with his playing time, and manager Terry Collins had to speak with him about what was perceived as his moping.
I spoke with Terry, Castillo said. I told him I needed a chance to play. He wouldnt give me a chance to play. It didnt work out. I told him if he didnt give me the chance to play I dont know if I have to be on the team. He decided to release me and here I am.
Castillo is eager for a fresh start with the Phils.
He has eight games to earn it.
Its hard, man, Castillo said. You know how it is in New York. I want to forget everything in the last year and a half in New York and focus on this year. I want to be focused on baseball. Ill give everything I have on the field. Im working hard to show the people and the fans I can still play.
Anybody would be excited to play with the Phillies. Theyre good and Im happy to be here.Game stuff
The Phillies beat the Blue Jays, 5-4, in Dunedin. Raul Ibanez smacked a two-run homer and Ben Francisco had three hits.
Cliff Lee pitched six innings and allowed two runs.
Danys Baez was tagged for two runs in the ninth.
The Phils are 17-9 on the spring. They visit the Rays in Port Charlotte on Wednesday. Roy Oswalt is the starting pitcher.
Lidge update
Closer Brad Lidge took another step in his recovery from biceps tendinitis, pitching a scoreless inning in a minor-league game. Lidge allowed a single and struck out one. He threw 16 pitches and reported no pain. He hopes to pitch an inning in a Grapefruit League game on Thursday.
I felt really good, Lidge said. My shoulder feels good enough to really get the ball angled downward. Thats big for me. I have to be able to get my fastball down if I want people to swing at my slider.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.Related: Castillo getting nine-game tryout with PhilliesBuy Phillies gear