The Pirates selected the contract of infielder Diego Castillo Sunday, preventing him from becoming a minor-league free agent.
To make room on the roster, the team designated right-handed pitcher José Soriano for assignment.
Castillo, 24, was acquired from the Yankees in the Clay Holmes deadline trade. After posting middling results for years in the Yankees’ system, he enjoyed a breakout campaign with their Class AA affiliate, slashing .277/.345/.504 with 11 home runs and 18 doubles over 249 plate appearances before the trade.
He continued to hit well after coming to the Pirates, and was promoted to Class AAA Indianapolis, where he posted a .914 OPS over his 18 games played at that level.
While he got some reps at third base, he primarily is a second baseman and shortstop.
Castillo will join a middle infield group that currently includes Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker, Oneil Cruz, Michael Chavis, Rodolfo Castro, Hoy Park and Tucupita Marcano.
Had the Pirates not selected his contract Sunday, he would have become a free agent. The deadline to add prospects to the roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft is Nov. 19.
For Soriano, this should close the book on his time with the Pirates. He was the first overall pick in the Rule 5 draft last year, being selected after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020. He began a rehab assignment with the Pirates, but ended up needing a Tommy John revision in June. He is not expected to pitch in the 2022 season.
While he accrued a full year of MLB service time, a player needs to be on the active roster for 90 days to shed their Rule 5 status. Soriano did not meet the latter requirement.
If he clears waivers, Soriano will have to be offered back to the Angels, his original team.