The Orioles have acquired pitcher Matt Krook from the Yankees today in exchange for monetary considerations, as announced by both teams. To accommodate Krook on the club’s 40-man roster, Baltimore has designated infielder Diego Castillo for assignment.
Krook, aged 29, was recently designated for assignment by the Yankees to make room for infielder Jordan Groshans on their 40-man roster. Despite a challenging debut in the majors last year, where he struggled with control issues, Krook showcased his talent at the Triple-A level for the Yankees, posting an impressive 1.32 ERA in 27 appearances and striking out 39% of batters faced.
Last season marked Krook’s transition to a reliever role after primarily working as a starter in previous years. While he has demonstrated solid results in the past, including a 3.76 ERA in over 200 innings at the Triple-A level, control has been a persistent challenge for him. However, his powerful pitching suggests potential success in the majors if he can improve his command.
Krook is expected to bolster Baltimore’s bullpen, joining other left-handed pitchers such as Danny Coulombe, Cionel Perez, and Keegan Akin. Additionally, he will compete with other relievers like Bryan Baker and Nick Vespi for a spot in the bullpen, with non-roster invitees like Andrew Suarez and Nathan Webb also vying for consideration.
As for Castillo, his brief stint on the Orioles’ 40-man roster comes to an end shortly after being claimed off waivers from the Phillies. Despite lackluster offensive numbers in the majors, Castillo has shown promise in the minors with a strong batting line. His defensive versatility, coupled with his ability to get on base and make contact, could make him a valuable asset for any team if he can translate his skills to the big leagues.
Now designated for assignment, the Orioles have seven days to trade Castillo or attempt to pass him through waivers. If he clears waivers, he can be retained in the minors as a non-roster depth for the upcoming 2024 season.
