Mariners acquire Welington Castillo in trade with Cubs
SAN DIEGO -- The Chicago Cubs traded catcher Welington Castillo to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed reliever Yoervis Medina, the team announced Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Medina, who had a 3.00 ERA and one save in 12 games for the Mariners this season, will report to Triple-A Iowa. Signed by Seattle as an amateur free agent in 2005, he has a career 2.82 ERA in 141 relief appearances over the past three seasons.
Castillo, 28, has played his entire six-year career for Chicago after being signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 2004. He became expendable when the Cubs traded for Miguel Montero and signed free agent David Ross this past winter.
The Cubs decided to keep the three catchers until a suitable deal emerged.
Chicago's bullpen ranks 10th in the National League with a 4.32 ERA. The Cubs have had to navigate through the first six weeks of the season without injured relievers Neil Ramirez and Justin Grimm.
Castillo, who is hitting .163 with two home runs this season, will start for the Mariners on Thursday after Jesus Sucre was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
" I've got to get my mind clear and start over," Castillo said. "This is like spring training. Hopefully, I can get into a rhythm."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
