Mets Acquire José Castillo, Eye More Bullpen Help

The New York Mets have acquired left-handed reliever José Castillo from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations, aiming to address a bullpen weakened by season-ending injuries to A.J. Minter and Danny Young. Castillo, who had been designated for assignment after posting an 11.37 ERA in five major league appearances this season, will join Génesis Cabrera as one of the few left-handed options for the Mets. The team made room on the roster by designating right-hander Kevin Herget for assignment. Castillo's minor league performance this year was more encouraging, as he recorded a 1.69 ERA in 5.1 innings for Triple-A Reno. The Mets are reportedly considering additional bullpen reinforcements ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, with potential targets including Brent Suter, Kyle Finnegan, and Pete Fairbanks. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks continue to search for effective left-handed relief amid injuries and underperformance.