HOUSTON — Luis Castillo, a recent addition to the Chicago White Sox, has faced challenges since his arrival. Acquired from the Seattle Mariners, Castillo has allowed at least four runs in three of his five August appearances. His struggles continued into September, conceding six runs over four innings in Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
White Sox manager Will Venable acknowledged the difficulties Castillo has encountered despite his efforts to adjust. Venable said, “Luis is committed to making adjustments but hasn’t yet found the right solution. We will continue to work with him before his next start, hoping for better outcomes.”
During the 78-pitch effort, Castillo yielded six hits, struck out three, walked two, and hit one batter. Castillo remains determined, stating, “We’re going to keep trying to figure this out,” through an interpreter.
The White Sox went 3-4 in the series against Minnesota and Houston. Despite the loss, they remain three games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central.
On Thursday, Castillo faced an early challenge. Despite managing a 10-pitch battle against Isaac Paredes, which resulted in a walk, Jose Altuve then hit a high fastball for a two-run home run. The White Sox responded in the second inning, scoring two runs through Jake Rogers’ RBI infield single and Sam Antonacci’s single.
Hunter Brown, the Astros’ starter, settled in, posing challenges for the White Sox offense. Venable remarked, “Our guys showed good early at-bats. Brown adjusted well, and we struggled for answers against him.”
Munetaka Murakami struck out in a critical moment, leaving runners on the corners in the second inning. He finished his trip with three strikeouts in a 0-for-4 performance. Murakami commented on the ups and downs of the season, emphasizing the importance of focus and consistency.
The Astros took control with a four-run third inning. Isaac Paredes had an RBI double, followed by Daulton Varsho’s two-run triple and Christian Walker’s single, extending their lead.
After four innings, Castillo’s performance concluded with the Astros leading. Venable noted Castillo’s effective initial innings and Altuve’s exceptional homer, recognizing the need to minimize hard contact.
Castillo’s ERA stands at 7.52 over six starts with the White Sox, allowing 22 earned runs over 26 1/3 innings. Venable expressed confidence in Castillo’s potential. He shared, “Castillo’s role is to give us a chance to win, not necessarily to pitch six scoreless innings. We’re confident he can achieve that.”
Castillo appreciated the support and articulated his dedication to fulfilling his responsibilities to the team. He acknowledged the struggles but remained focused on improving and contributing positively.