In a corresponding move, the Yankees have designated infielder Jeter Downs for assignment.

Castillo, originally signed by the Yankees as an international amateur from Venezuela, returns to his original organization after being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 2021 deadline deal that ultimately did not work out for the Pirates. Castillo, along with teammate Hoy Park, was designated for assignment and then traded to new clubs by the end of 2022.

In the 2022 season, Castillo played 96 games with the Pirates, posting a batting line of .206/.251/.382. However, he was later traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who primarily kept him in the minors and only gave him one opportunity in the major leagues. Despite his limited time in Triple-A, Castillo demonstrated strong on-base abilities with a .313/.431/.410 batting line and a wRC+ of 117.

Known for his defensive versatility, Castillo has experience playing all four infield positions and has also spent some time in the outfield corners. Additionally, he has showcased his speed on the basepaths, stealing 13 bases with the Reno Aces last year.

With the addition of Castillo, the Yankees project to have an infield consisting of Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe, and DJ LeMahieu. While the corner infielders are in their mid-30s and coming off injury-marred seasons, the team remains focused on having strong infield depth. Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Jorbit Vivas are also on the 40-man roster, along with recent signings Kevin Smith, Josh VanMeter, and José Rojas on minor league deals.

Unfortunately, the Yankees had to designate Jeter Downs for assignment in today's transaction. Downs, who was once a top 100 prospect, has struggled to make a significant impact in the majors. Between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals, Downs has only played in 20 major league games, with a batting line of .182/.260/.273. His performance in the minors over the past three years has also been underwhelming.

The Yankees now have a week to trade Downs or try to pass him through waivers. Despite his lack of offensive production, he may still attract interest from other clubs due to his young age, former prospect pedigree, and defensive versatility. Downs has experience playing all three infield positions on the left side and has also had a brief stint in the outfield. Furthermore, he still has one option year remaining, allowing him to be kept in the minors as additional depth until his services are needed at the major league level.