Angels Sign Veteran Reliever Miguel Castro to Minor League Deal

The 31-year-old right-hander looks to revive his career in Anaheim after an injury-plagued 2025 season.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:38pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp planes of tan, olive, and sienna colors, conveying the intricate challenges a veteran reliever faces in reviving his career.A cubist interpretation of a veteran reliever's complex journey back to the mound.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran reliever Miguel Castro to a minor league contract, hoping the 31-year-old can provide a veteran presence in their bullpen. Castro, who has pitched for seven different teams over 11 MLB seasons, is looking to bounce back after missing most of the 2025 campaign due to a knee injury.

Why it matters

The Angels' bullpen is in flux, with several veteran relievers aiming to reclaim past success after inconsistent or injury-riddled seasons. Castro's addition gives the team another experienced arm to compete for a roster spot, but his recent struggles and injury history raise questions about whether he can still be an effective major league reliever.

The details

Castro, a 6'7" right-hander, has been primarily a reliever throughout his career, accumulating 466 2/3 innings in that role. He's known for his powerful sinker that averages 96.5 mph, but his below-average strikeout and walk rates (20.4% and 11.7%) have been a concern. Last season, he was in the Astros organization but didn't pitch in the majors, and was later traded to the White Sox, where he suffered a season-ending knee injury after just six appearances.

  • Castro recently celebrated his 31st birthday.
  • In 2025, Castro was traded from the Astros to the White Sox, where he suffered a torn patellar tendon injury that ended his season.

The players

Miguel Castro

A 31-year-old right-handed reliever who has pitched for seven different MLB teams over 11 seasons, known for his power sinker but with below-average strikeout and walk rates.

Jon Heyman

A veteran baseball journalist who reported the news of Castro's signing with the Angels.

Robert Stephenson

A veteran reliever in the Angels' bullpen who is looking to bounce back from inconsistent performances.

Kirby Yates

A veteran reliever in the Angels' bullpen who is looking to reclaim his former glory.

Jordan Romano

A veteran reliever in the Angels' bullpen who is looking to reclaim his former glory.

Drew Pomeranz

A 37-year-old left-handed reliever in the Angels' bullpen who is looking to build on his standout 2025 season.

Kurt Suzuki

The rookie manager of the Los Angeles Angels.

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What they’re saying

“This move, reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, brings a veteran presence to the Angels' bullpen, but it's a decision that may spark some debate among fans.”

— Jon Heyman, New York Post reporter

What’s next

As the Angels' spring training unfolds, the performance of Miguel Castro will be closely watched as he competes against other veterans and younger arms for a limited number of bullpen spots. The outcome of this competition could shape the Angels' bullpen for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Angels' decision to sign Miguel Castro to a minor league deal is a low-risk move that could provide veteran experience to their bullpen, but his recent injury history and below-average statistical performance raise questions about whether he can still be an effective major league reliever. The spring training competition will be crucial in determining if Castro can earn a roster spot and contribute to the Angels' bullpen in 2026.